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et  de  haut  en  bas.  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  n*cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m*thode. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

MICROCOPY    RESOLUTION   TEST   CHART 

(ANSI  and  ISO  TEST  CHART  No    2) 


1.0 


I.I 


1^ 

m 

IIIM 

U4 

i^ 

III  2-2 

tii 

y. 

111^ 

1^ 

112^ 

1.8 


1.6 


^  APPLIED  IIVMGE    I 

^^  165J    East   Main    Street 

I^S  Rochester,    New   York         14609       USA 

'i^S  {7'6)    «82  -  0300  -  Phone 

^S  (716)   288  -  5989  -  Fox 


4 

I 


1       I 


THE  GOOD 
SAMARITAN 

EDNA  EARLE  COLE 


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THE  GOOD 
SAMARITAN 

And  Other  Bible  Stories 
Dramatized 

ILLVSTXATED  WITH  FBOTOGRAPBS 
BY  HAROLD  WAGNER 

EDNA  EARLE  COLE 


BOSTON:  RICHARD  G.  BADGER 

TORONTO:  COPP  CLARK  CO.,  LIMITED 


Cop3rright,  19 15,  by  Richard  G.  Badger 
All  Rights  Reserved 


The  poem  in  the  Story  of  Samuel  is  from 
"Song  Stories  for  the  Sunday  School" 
and  is  used  by  kind  permission  of 
the    publishers,    Clayton   Summy    Co. 


The  Goshaii  Pkess,  Boston,  U.  S.  A. 


PREFACE 


A  child  cannot  love  Christ  until  he  knows 
Him.  There  is  no  knowledge  without  an 
introduction.  To  introduce  the  child  to  his 
loving  Heavenly  Father  is  the  great  aim  of 
the  Elementary  Sunday  School  teacher.  But 
some  of  the  introductions  have  been  given 
to  unhearing  ears,  and  the  ear  is  the  gateway 
to  the  child's  soul  upon  which  we  have  largely 
depended.  The  lesson  given  by  a  would-be 
teacher  has  often  "gone  in  one  ear  and  out 
the  other"  without  reaching  the  heart  or 
even  the  brain  of  the  little  disciple-to-be. 

Graded  lessons  are  helping  to  solve  the 
problem  and  are  suggesting  that  there  are 
other  gateways  to  the  child's  soul.  God  has 
given  five  senses,  all  of  which  are  hungry  and 
must  be  fed.  The  constant  use  of  one  only 
is  most  unnatural  and  well  nigh  impossible 
in  contemplation  of  our  mighty  task.  "To 
sit  as  a  passive  bucket  and  be  pumped  into," 
said  Carlyle,  "is  exhilarating  to  no  creature." 

3 


4  PREFACE 

The  eyes  and  hands  must  be  used,  and  so 
handwork,  objects,  the  use  of  the  blackboard, 
curios  and  plasticine  lend  their  valuable  as- 
sistance. 

But  there  are  times  when  the  whole  body 
craves  exercise.  The  pent-up  God-given  en- 
ergy of  the  growing  child  needs  an  outlet. 
Action  is  absolutely  necessary  to  development 
and  to  repress  it  is  opposing  God's  law.  We 
must  guide,  not  repress,  that  energy. 

How  delighted,  then,  was  my  little  primary 
class  one  morning  when  I  said,  "Let's  play 
the  lesson."  There  were  a  number  of  char- 
acters in  the  lesson  that  morning — King 
Ahasuerus,  Mordecai,  Esther,  Haman  and 
Hatach  (Lesson  51,  Third  Year  Primary). 
No  wonder  as  I  told  the  story  they  had  been 
confused,  and  their  eyes  and  minds  wandered. 
"Now,"  I  said,  "who  shall  be  Queen?"  And 
sweet  little  Daisy  Taylor  was  chosen.  "And 
who  shall  be  King?"  There  was  a  moment 
of  hesitation  while  two  boys  sat  a  little 
straighter,  glanced  about  significantly  and 
waited.  Sometimes  Raymond  Howell  was 
considered  the  leader  of  the  class  and  some- 
times James  Borwell,  so  great  v/as  the  cour- 


PREFACE  5 

age  of  each  in  daring  to  display  his  energy. 
But  was  not  James  the  greater  of  the  two 
this  morning?    Had  he  not  turned  the  most 
wonderful  of  somersaults  during  the  march? 
So  he  was  chosen.    He  at  once  acquired  an 
unusual  amount  of  dignity  and  was  all  atten- 
tion.   The  willingness  with  which  Raymond 
accepted  the  character  of  Haman  was  evi- 
dence that  he  had  heard  nothing  at  all  of 
the  story.     Mordecai  and  Hatach  were  de- 
cided upon,  and  of  the  remaining  three  one 
was  the  King's  attendant  and  the  others  were 
sorrowing  Jews.    As  the  story  was  repeated 
they  acted  it  out  in  pantomime.    Not  much 
moving  about  was  possible,  and  only  the  quiet 
gestures,  for  we  were  in  a  room  with  many 
other  classes.    As  the  pianist  gave  the  chord 
for  attention  to  the  closing  exercises,  the  little 
King  made  a  most  humble  request.    Did  we 
not  have  a  half  hour  between  Sunday  School 
and  Church  service?    Couldn't  we  go  out  on 
the  lawn  at  the  side  of  the  church  and  play 
the  lesson  again?    And  play  it  again  we  didl 
They  will  long  remember  the  courage  of  the 
brave  young  Queen  who  chose  the  right. 
This  experience  with  the  younger  children 


PREFACE 


and  others  of  a  like  nature  with  Juniors  have 
led  to  the  arrangement  of  Old  and  New  Tes- 
tament stories  in  two  forms: 

(a)  For  younger  children  (Primary  and 
Beginners)  expression  must  be  more  nearly 
of  a  spontaneous  nature,  elicited  at  the  time 
of  the  story  telling.  The  work  for  these, 
therefore,  is  in  the  form  of  a  story  to  be  told 
by  the  teacher,  with  the  action  suggested  in 
parentheses.  (These  may  be  used  exactly  as 
writ*  n,  or  the  story  read  as  a  whole  and  the 
action  in  pantomime  by  the  children  at  the 
close). 

(b)  For  the  older  children  the  more  for- 
mal arrangement  is  possible.  So  the  stories 
for  them  (Juniors  and  Intermediates)  have 
been  put  in  the  recognized  dramatic  form. 

The  effort  to  represent  some  environments 
may  seem  almost  ludicrous  to  the  adult,  but 
let  us  remember  and  duly  appreciate  the 
child's  imagination.  The  world  of  "make  be- 
lieve" is  a  very  real  world  to  him  and  it  is 
his  delight  to  walk  therein. 

It  must  be  remembered  that  the  stories  in 
this  form  are  not  meant  simply  to  entertain. 
Far  be  it  from  our  soul  specialists  to  spend 


PREFACE  7 

any  of  their  time  with  the  children  in  merely 
amusing  them.  But  we  must  reach  their 
souls  through  their  natural  instincts  and  in- 
terests, and  in  proportion  as  we  cause  them, 
through  their  imaginations,  to  see  and  live 
the  wonderful  Bible  stories,  just  so  deeply 
will  the  impression  be  made  which  will  lead 
out  to  a  splendid  expression  in  their  daily 
lives. 

So  these  stories  in  dramatic  form  are  pre- 
sented in  the  hope  that  they  may  be  found 
useful  in  class,  for  opening  and  closing  exer- 
cises, for  special  day  programs,  for  depart- 
ment socials,  in  the  home,  and  for  many  other 
occasions  meet  the  need  of  the  teacher  and 
parents  in  their  work  of  character  building. 
And  may  they  help  create,  deep  down  in  the 
soul  of  every  energetic  play-loving  child,  a 
deeper  interest  in  God's  Word  and  a  better 
understanding  of  His  dealings  with  men. 


CONTENTS 


The  Good  Samaritan 
Paul  and  the  Jailer 
The  King's  Life  Spared    . 
Esther,  the  Brave  Young  Queen 
Peter  and  the  Roman  Captain 
Two  Journeys  to  Bethlehem   . 
The  Story  of  the  Twelve  Spies 
The  Story  of  Joseph 
Naaman  and  Gehazi 
The  Story  of  the  Baby  Moses  . 
The  Story  of  Little  Samuel    . 


PAGB 
.        13 

.      21 

•  33 

.  43 

.  55 

.  67 

.  77 
.  89 
.  Ill 

.  "9 
.  127 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS 

Samaritan:  "I  wfll  pay  you  for  it,  sir"  frontispibcb 

Esther:    "This  is  the  man  who  has  dared! 
This  wicked  Hamanl" 48 

Joseph :  "Brothers,  listen  to  this  dream  which 

I  had  a  few  nights  ago" 90 

Miriam  ran  quickly  and  brought  the  Baby's 
own  Mother  to  the  Princess     .     .     *     .     122 


THE  GOOD  SAMARITAN 


I- 


Luke  10:30-37 
Characters  : 

"A  Certain  Man." 

Robbers  {Three). 

Priest. 

Levite. 

Samaritan. 

Inn  Keeper. 
Materials  : 

For  "A  Certain  Man,"  package,  purse, 

money. 

For  Priest,  book. 

For  Samaritan,  bottle  of  oil,  cup  for 
water,  strip  of  muslin,  handkerchief. 

For  Inn  Keeper,  scroll. 

Chairs  representing  bed. 

Chairs  representing  hiding  place  of  rob- 
bers. 

Synopsis  : 

Act  I— The  Robbery  and  Passers-by. 

Act  II — Hospital  Scene. 


THE  GOOD  SAMARITAN 


ACT  I 
The  Robbery  and  Passers-by 

{Enter  the  three  robbers.) 

First  Robber — "Let  us  hide  here  at  this 
turn  in  the  road.  When  someone  comes  by, 
let  us  all  jump  on  him  at  once.  Take  every- 
thing you  can.  I  hope  he  will  have  a  lot  of 
money." 

Second  Robber — "I  will  fight  him  and 
throw  him  down  so  that  he  will  not  be  able 
to  follow  us." 

Third  Robber — "Listen,  here  comes  some- 
one now  I"    {/ill  hide.) 

{Enter  the  traveler  carrying  package, 
purse  in  pocket,  loose  pennies.  Coat  and  hat 
on.  As  he  enters  he  looks  anxiously  to  right 
and  left,  aid  is  about  to  hurry  on,  when  the 
three  robbers  jump  out  at  him,  take  purse, 
money,  package,  hat  and  coat  and  throw  him 

13 


14       THE  GOOD  SAMARITAN 

over.  He  shows  fight  and  tries  to  get  aviay. 
As  robbers  leave  he  lies  with  arms  thrown 
helplessly  out  at  sides,  and  eyes  closed,  as  if 
unconscious.  Enter  Priest  at  right  and  pauses 
to  look  at  injured  man.) 

Priest — "Ah,  foul  play  here!  Someone 
has  been  robbed  1  This  is  a  dangerous  place. 
I  had  better  hurry  on  or  I  also  may  be  hurt 
and  my  work  interrupted."     {Exit  left.) 

{Enter  Levite  from  right.  Pauses  and 
looks  at  injured  man.) 

Levite— "What  is  this?  Poor  unfortu- 
nate manl  The  robbers  that  do  so  much 
harm  along  this  road  should  be  caught  and 
punished,  but  it  is  not  my  part  to  see  that  the 
laws  are  enforced.  It  is  really  not  my  affair 
unless  my  counsel  is  asked  later.  Someone 
else  will  have  to  look  out  for  this  man." 
{Exit  left.) 

{Enter  Samaritan  from  right  dressed  to 

appear  destitute.) 

Samaritan— "Oh,  those  wicked  robbers  1 
See,  this  poor  man  has  lost  everything  and  is 
hurt  I"  {Brushes  back  the  wounded  man's 
hair  and  feels  his  pulse.)  "He  is  a  Jew  and 
the  Jews  despise  us  Samaritans.    He  would 


THE  GOOD  SAMARITAN       15 

not  even  speak  to  me  if  he  were  conscious. 
But  he  is  hurt.  Perhaps  he  has  father  and 
mother  at  home  who  love  him.  I  must  help 
him  if  I  can.*'  (Runs  out  of  sight  tvith  cup 
and  brings  water.  Holds  man  up  and  tries 
to  give  him  drink,  bathes  his  face,  with  strip 
of  muslin  binds  up  his  arm  and  pours  on  oil.) 
"There  1  Now  I  will  take  him  to  the  inn 
down  the  road,  where  he  can  be  put  to  bed, 
and  bye-and-bye  given  some  food."  {Exit 
left,  carrying  the  wounded  man.) 


ACT  II 


Hospital  Scene 

{Chairs  placed  together  to  represent  bed. 
Enter  Inn  Keeper,  who  sits  and  reads  a  scroll. 
Enter  Samaritan  with  wounded  man.) 

Inn  Keeper — "What  docs  this  mean?  A 
Samaritan  carrying  a  wounded  Jew  I  W  «* 
have  you  done  to  him?" 

Samaritan — "I  do  not  wonder  that  you 
think  I  have  harmed  him.  The  Jews  hate 
my  race  and  you  might  expect  us  to  hate  them 
in  return.  But  I  have  not  hurt  him,  sir.  I 
found  him  robbed  and  bleeding,  up  the  road 
there,  and  see^  I  have  bound  up  his  arm  and 
given  him  a  drink  and  poured  oil  on  his 
wounds.  Have  you  room  for  him  at  the 
inn?" 

Inn  Keeper — "I  have  room,  but  he  could 
not  pay  me  for  it,  since  his  money  has  been 
stolen." 

Samaritan — "I  will  pay  you  for  it,  sir." 

I6 


THE  GOOD  SAMARITAN       17 

( The  two  lay  the  wounded  man  across  the 
chairs.  Samaritan  hands  some  money  to  Inn 
Keeper.) 

Samaritan — "Please  keep  him  here  until 
he  is  quite  well.  I  may  never  see  him  again, 
for  he  may  have  gone  when  I  come  this  way. 
If  this  money  has  not  been  enough,  I  will 
pay  you  more  when  I  see  you." 

Inn  Keeper — "You  are  a  good  Samari- 
tan, being  kind  to  him  whose  name,  even,  you 
do  not  know,  and  doing  unto  him  as  you 
would  have  him  do  unto  you.  I  will  do  the 
best  I  can  for  him.  May  God  bless  you  on 
your  way." 

Samaritan — {As  he  is  leaving.)  "Thou 
shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy 
heart  and  with  all  thy  soul  and  with  all  thy 
strength,  and  with  all  thy  mind  and  thy 

NEIGHBOR  AS  THYSELF."      (Lukc  lO.'iy.) 

{Exeunt  all.) 


Acts  16:12-40 
Characters  : 

Paul. 

Silas. 

Timothy. 

Luke. 

Lydia. 

Other  fVomen  of  Philippi 

Slave  Girl. 

Masters  of  Slave  Gir'. 

Men  of  Philippi. 

Magistrates  (Two). 

Jailer. 

Prisoners. 
Materials  : 

Loose,  flowing  garments  for  both  men 
and  women. 

Scarfs  for  women's  head-covering. 

Turbans  for  men. 

Ropes  or  chains  for  Prisoners. 

Sword  for  Jailer. 
Synopsis  : 

Act  I — The  River-side  Prayer  Meet- 
ing. 

Act  ll—The  Slave  Girl  Liberated. 

Act  III — The  Prison  Scene. 


PAUL  AND  THE  JAILER 


ACT  I 

The  River-side  Prayer  Meeting 

(Lydia  and  several  other  women  sitting  in 
semi-circle.  Enter  Paul,  Silas,  Timothy  and 
Luke.) 

Paul — "May  we  join  you  in  your  prayer 
meeting?  I  am  Paul,  a  Jew  bom  in  Tarsus 
—an  apostle  of  Jesus  Christ.  These  are  my 
traveling  companions:"  {Indicating  each  as 
he  speaks  his  name.)  "Silas  and  Timothy  and 
Luke,  the  physician.  We  are  all  evangelists, 
gomg  from  place  to  place  and  preachinjr  of 
Jesus  Christ."  * 

We  shuA  be  very  glad  to  have  you  speak 
to  us." 

Paul— "I  shall  be  glad  to  do  so.    Let  me 
teU  you  of  the  experience  which  led  me  to 

21 


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>  -iff  I 


22       PAUL  AND  THE  JAILER 

accept  Jesus  as  my  Savior."  {All  sit.)  "I 
was  educated  in  Jerusalem  with  Gamaliel  for 
my  teacher.  I  was  taught  the  law  and  was 
a  believer  in  God,  as  are  you.  My  love  for 
the  temple  made  me  oppose  those  who 
seemed  to  be  indifferent  to  our  customs,  so 
I  persecuted  the  Christians.  On  my  way  to 
Damascus  to  bring  those  who  were  bound  to 
Jerusalem  a  strange  thing  happened.  As  I 
neared  the  city  at  noon  a  bright  light  sud- 
denly fell  a*- -'It  me.  I  fell  to  the  ground 
and  heard  a  voice  say,  'Saul,  why  do  you  per- 
secute me?'  and  I  answered,  'Who  are  you?' 
The  voice  said,  'I  am  Jesus  of  Nazareth.' 
To  think  that  Jesus  was  alive  after  all,  just 
as  his  followers  had  said!  When  I  arose  I 
could  not  see,  and  my  friends  led  me  into  the 
city.  Then  through  one  of  His  followers 
Jesus  summoned  me  to  His  service.  I  have 
obeyed.  All  that  Christ  was,  I  am  trying  to 
become.  Perhaps  we  can  meet  here  from 
time  to  time,  and  I  will  tell  you  more  things 
of  interest." 

Women — "Do  come,  we  are  eager  to  hear 

you." 

Lydia — "If  you  count  me  worthy  come 


J 


PAUL  AND  THE  JAILER       23 

into  my  house  and  make  it  your  home  while 
you  are  in  Philippi." 

Silas— ''Brother  Saul,  let  us  accept  her 
mvitation." 

Luke— ."Yes,  it  will  be  a  good  thing  to 
do."  {Turning  to  Lydia.)  "It  is  very  kind 
of  you  to  ask  us." 

Paul— ."Very  well,  thank  you,  we  will 
come,  and  gladly."     {Exeunt  all.) 


J.M 


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ACT  II 
The  Slave  Girl  Liberated 


(Men  and  women  of  Philippi  standing 
about.  Enter  Paul,  Silas,  Timothy  and  Luke. 
Enter  Slave  Girl,  dancing  along  behind  the 
men  and  tossing  her  arms  about.) 

Slave  Girl — "These  men  are  servants  of 
the  Most  High  God,  who  tell  you  the  way 
to  be  saved  1"  (Pointing  at  the  men  she  re- 
peats  above  statement,  then  dancing  about  in 
front  of  them  makes  the  statement  a  third 
time.) 

Paul — (To  companions.)  "It  is  an  evil 
spirit  that  she  has."  ( Turning  to  Girl.)  "I 
command  you  to  come  out  of  her."  (The 
Girl  becomes  perfectly  quiet  and  as  she  gazes 
at  them  her  masters  enter.) 

First  Master — (Taking  her  by  the 
arm.)     "Come,  and  earn  money  for  us  I" 

Slave  Girl — "I  can  help  you  no  longer." 
(All  look  startled.)  "I  am  now  in  my  right 
mind." 


PAUL  AND  THE  JAILER       25 
spirit  r"""  ^^^^^«-"Who  cast  out  her  evil 

NTo^l'^l'tT''^'^'*^'  '''■'  '"  '^'^^  "*"^c  of  Jesus. 
Now  let  her  depart  in  peace." 

th  s  jtv      Y     '7  n '^"^  «"^'  ^^°"We  in 

tmes  who    M?  f'"  ^°  ^^^°^^  '^^^  "^-m- 
trates,  who  will  place  you  in  prison."     (Afaa 

tstrates  lead  Paul  and  Silas  azvay     TilT 

and  Luke  follow.    E.eunt\^l)''       ^"'^' 


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ACT  III 

The  Prison  Scene 

{Several  prisoners  lying  about  on  floor. 
With  them  and  in  the  foreground,  Paul  and 
Silas.  The  feet  of  all  appear  to  he  fastened 
with  ropes  or  chains.) 

Paul  and  Silas— ("5m^m^  praises.") 
"All  hail  the  power  of  Jesus'  name  1 
Let  angels  prostrate  fall; 
Bring  forth  the  royal  diadem, 
And  crown  Him  Lord  of  all. 

O  that,  with  yorder  sacred  throng. 

We  at  his  feet  may  fall! 
We'll  join  the  everlasting  song. 
And  crown  Him  Lord  of  all." 
{At  signal  let  all  turn  over  suddenly  and 
spring  to  their  feet.) 

First  Prisoner — "What  is  happening  1 
I  am  f reel" 

Second  Prisoner — "And  I,  tool    I  be- 
lieve it  was  an  earthquake  I" 

26 


:i\' 


PAUL  AND  THE  JAILER       27 

Silas— (r«mi„y/oPa«/.)  "What  do  you 
think  It  means?"  ' 

PAUL-"Thc  Lord  is  in  this  I"  (Enter 
on  a  run  the  frightened  Jailer  with  sword 
pointed  at  his  breast.) 

Paul— "Do  yourself  no  harm,  Jailer;  we 
have  not  escaped.    We  are  all  here." 

J ^^J:^^-- (falling  on  knees  before  Paul 
and  Stlas.)  "This  is  the  most  wonderful 
thmg  I  ever  saw  I  Your  God.  about  whom 
you  have  been  singing,  is  helping  you.  What 
must  I  do  to  be  saved?" 

anH ''"''"I'^f^l^''^  °"  *^^  ^'^  J««  Christ 
and  you  shall  be  saved,  and  those  in  your 
house  with  you." 

jAlLER—'-Come  into  my  house  near  by, 
4«  I  may  be  baptized.  I  do  believe  in  your 
Jesus  and  want  to  learn  more  about  Him. 
Wh.Ie  we  are  there  I  will  dress  your  wounds, 
rou  were  cruelly  beaten  yesterday."  (Exeun, 
MUr  un,h  Paul  and  Silas.  Otiur  goners 
Wo«,,  aga,n     P„scn,ly  ,he  Jailer  returns 

strtps  of  mushn.) 

jAiLER-."Good.night.      I   cannot   bring 
myself  to  bind  any  of  you  since  this  wonder- 


28      PAUL  AND  THE  JAILER 

ful  thing  has  happened.    Peace  be  with  you." 
{Exit  Jailer.) 

{After  a  few  moments  morning  is  sup- 
posed  to  have  arrived.  One  by  one  the  pris- 
oners waken,  rise,  greet  each  other  and  walk 
about.) 

Jailer — {Enters  joyfully  and  addresses 
Paul  and  Silas.)  "The  rulers  have  sent 
word  to  let  you  go  free.  So  you  may 
come  out  of  the  prison  and  go  on  your 
way." 

Paul — "We  are  free  citizens  of  Rome, 
and  without  a  trial  they  have  beaten  us  and 
cast  us  into  this  place.  Now  they  want  to 
turn  us  out  secretly.  No  indeed,  let  the 
rulers  come  and  bring  us  outl"  {Exit  Jailer.) 

{Enter  Magistrates,  frightened.) 

Magistrates — "We  did  not  know  you 
were  Roman  citizens,  and  we  ask  forgive- 
ness for  having  treated  you  so.  We  beg  of 
you,  leave  this  place  at  once  I" 

Silas — "Come,  Paul,  let  us  not  lin- 
ger here.  We  will  go  back  to  Lydia's 
home." 

Paul — {To  Magistrates.)  "But  mark 
you,  mistreat  us  no  more,  or  we  will  bring 


PAUL  AND  THE  JAILER       29 

complaint  against  you  and  your  lives  will  be 
n  danger/'    {E.eunt  Paul,  Silas  and  Magis. 
trates,  others  following.) 


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A  KING'S  LIFE  SPARED 


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I  Samuel  24:1-22 
Characters: 

King  Saul. 

The  King's  Army. 

Davtd. 

David's  Army. 

Village  Folk  {15  or  more). 

Commander  of  King's  Army. 
Materials  : 

Something  to  represent  King's  robe. 

Paper  caps. 

Sticks,  for  swords. 

Knife. 

Sheets  to  make  cave  effect. 
Synopsis  : 

Act   I — Pillage  Scene.     Both  armies 
passing  through. 

Act  II — In  the  Cave. 


1 


A  KING'S  LIFE   SPARED 

Prologue : 

We  rememher  the  little  shepherd  boy 
David,  who  was  anointed  by  Samuel; 
how  he  fought   and  killed  the  great 
Goliath  and  became  a  dear  friend  to 
Jonathan,  the  King's  son.    And  because 
Jonathan  and  all  the  people  loved  David 
so  much.  King  Saul  became  jealous  and 
tried  to  kill  him;  how  David  found  six 
hundred  men  who  were  his  friends  and 
wanted  to  stay  close  to  and  protect  him; 
how  he,  with  his  small  army,  dodged 
here  and  there  over  the  country,  hunted 
by  King  Saul  with  his   mighty   army. 
Bye  and  bye  it  was  told  King  Saul  that 
David  and  his  men  were  in  the  wilder- 
ness of  En-gedi.     Then  Saul  took  three 
thousand  men  and  went  out  again  to 
seek  David,  to  kill  him. 

The  boys  and  girls  will  show  what 
happened.    One  soldier  here  will  repre- 
33 


1! 


■  11 


34        A  KING'S  LIFE  SPARED 

sent  a  hundred  in  the  real  armies,  so 
that  six  will  accompany  David  and 
thirty  will  be  with  the  King.  {If  not 
so  many  are  available,  omit  the  preced- 
ing sentence  and  make  the  armies  pro- 
portionately correct,  with  fewer  boys.) 


ACT  I 

Village  Scene 


(J  number  of  village  folk  sitting  and 
standing  about.) 

One  Villager  (Girl) — "Have  you 
heard  of  David  recently?  He  is  still  hiding 
from  the  King,  I  suppose,  and  in  constant 
danger." 

Second  Villager  (Boy) — "Yes,  so  it  is 
said.  His  army  numbers  only  six  hundred 
and  the  King  is  hunting  him  with  an  army 
five  times  as  large.  I  pray  that  David  may 
escape  out  of  his  hand." 

Third  Villager  (Boy)— "I  think  every- 
one in  this  village  loves  David  and  would 
like  to  see  him  made  King.  He  is  so  good 
and  kind  and  brave." 

Fourth  Villager  (Girl)— "I  hear  the 
tramp  of  feet  now  I  O  that  it  might  be  David 
himself,  come  to  see  us  once  again  I" 

Several  Others— "Oh,  it  is  I    It  is  I" 

35 


n 


36        A  KING'S  LIFE  SPARED 

{/ill  clap  as  David  and  his  soldiers  enter 
from  right.) 

Da\id— (Excitedly.)  "We  can  halt  but 
a  moment.  King  Saul's  army  is  almost  upon 
us  and  we  must  fly  for  our  lives,  so  good-bye  I 
Pray  that  we  may  come  safely  to  you  again. 
Forward,  march  1"  {Exeunt  left.  The  vil- 
lagers mourn  and  shake  their  heads.) 

Villager — "O,  may  he  some  day  be  ruler 
in  Israeli"  {Silence,  then  the  sound  of 
marching.  Enter  at  right  King  Saul  and 
army.) 

King  Saul — {Flourishing  his  sword.) 
"Out  of  our  way,  alll  We  are  here  three 
thousand  strong  to  find  and  kill  David.  He 
shall  die  I" 

Soldiers— "Hear!    Hearl" 

Commander  of  Army — "Forward,  men! 
March!"  {Exeunt  left.  As  army  leaves  all 
the  villagers  rush  forward,  shading  eyes  with 
hands,  looking  after  soldiers.  Exeunt  all 
right.) 


ACT  II 


In  the  Cave 

( The  cave  effect  can  be  produced  by  sheets 
thrown  oyer  chairs  which  have  been  placed  in 
a  semi-circle  and  each  chair  tipped  over  so 
that  the  back  is  horizontal.  David's  men 
march  in  and  before  the  cave  entrance  break 
ranks.) 

David— "This  looks  like  a  good  place  for 
shelter.  Let  us  creep  in  here  and  stay  a  while. 
We  have  come  a  long  way  and  need  to  rest." 
{They  crawl  into  the  recesses  of  the  cave. 
David  is  last  in,  looking  in  every  direction 
before  entering.) 

{Enter  King's  army. ) 

Commander — "Halt  I" 

King  Saul— "I  am  weary  and  while  you 
keep  guard  I  shall  go  into  this  cave  here,  and 
rest  a  while."  {Lies  down  in  entrance  of 
cave  and  others  sit  in  the  foreground.)  "We 
shall  surely  find  David  soon  now.    He  can- 

37 


i:  I  I  >l 


'I 

I 


38         A  KING'S  LIFE  SPARED 

not  be  far  from  this  place,  I  judge,  from  the 
reports  we  have  had.  We  will  take  his  army 
captive  and  kill  them  all."  {Laughs.) 
"What  can  they  do  against  so  many  of  us? 
Jonathan  loves  him  better  than  he  does  me, 
and  I  hear  praises  of  him  on  every  side. 
Does  he  think  he  is  greater  than  the  king? 
Well,  we  shall  soon  see  1"  {Others  lie  down 
and  all  sleep.  David  comes  to  mouth  of 
cave,  looks  at  the  sleeping  King  and  hesi- 
tates.) 

David — "May  the  Lord  forbid  that  I 
should  kill  him."  {David  cuts  off  a  piece  of 
the  King's  robe,  and  retreats.  Presently  the 
King  sits  up,  rubs  his  eyes,  stands  and  ad- 
vances.) 

King — "Well,  I  slept  for  sure.  Come, 
men,  we  must  be  moving  on."  {As  all 
scramble  to  their  feet,  David  appears  at 
mouth  of  cave.) 

Davii>— "My  Lord,  the  Kingl"  {Bows 
and  holds  up  the  piece  of  the  King's  robe.) 
"My  Lord  and  King,  why  do  you  listen  to 
men  who  tell  you  that  David  is  trying  to  do 
you  harm?  Just  now  you  lay  in  the  cave. 
I  stood  by  you.    My  soldiers  told  me  to  kill 


m 


A  KING'S  LIFE  SPARED       39 

you.  I  could  easily  have  done  so—but  would 
not  See  the  piece  of  cloth  I  cut  from  your 
robe.  I  cut  it  off  to  show  you  how  close  I 
was  to  you  while  you  slept,  but  did  not  harm 
you.  {David's  soldiers  come  out  of  cave 
and  stand  near.  King  Saul's  soldiers  sur- 
round hm.  King  Saul  drops  his  sword  and 
stretches  hands  toward  David  ) 

King  SauWIs  it  really  you,  my  son 
Uavid?  You  are  a  better  man  than  I.  You 
spare  my  life,  while  I  have  sought  to  kill 
you.  Forgive  me.  Never  again  wiU  I  seek 
to  kill  you.  I  believe  it  is  God's  will  that 
you  shall  some  day  be  King." 

Commander  King's  Army— "Attention ! 
Forward  I  March  I"  (Exit  King's  army  to 
rtght  with  ^commander  in  charge.  Exit 
Davids  army  to  left,  strolling  out  in  group  ) 


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ESTHER,   THE   BRAVE   YOUNG 
QUEEN 


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Esther  2:5-7;  17:20-23;  3:8 
Characters: 

King  Ahasuerus,  of  Persia. 
Esther,  the  Queen. 
Mordecai,  a  Jeru. 
Haman. 

Hatach,  Queen's  servant. 
Two  soldiers. 
Two  servants  of  the  King. 
Materials  : 

Screen,  used  to  represent  entrance  to 

another  room. 
Box  draped  for  throne. 
Stick,  for  scepter. 

Roll  of  paper  to  represent  Proclama- 
tion. 
Thin  veil  for  Esther  {if  one  wishes  to 
teach  custom  of  the  time.) 
Synopsis  : 

Act     I — In  King's  Palace. 
/.  CT   II — Before  Palace  Gate. 
Act  III — Throne  Room  of  Palace. 
Act  IV — Queen's  Quarters  in  the  Pal- 
ace. 


ESTHER,  THE   BRAVE 
YOUNG  QUEEN 


ACT  I 


In  King's  Palace 

(Screen  midway  on  platform.  Let  the 
space  to  left  of  screen  represent  the  throne 
room,  the  space  to  the  right  an  adjoining 
room.  The  arrangement  of  screen  makes  it 
possible  to  have  fewer  scenes,  all  en- 
trances FROM  THE  RIGHT.) 

{King  enters  followed  by  two  servants, 
and  ascends  the  throne,  the  servants  standing 
on  either  side.  Queen  enters  and  pauses  in 
outer  room.) 

Hatach — {Enters  with  roll  of  paper  and 
addresses  the  Queen.)  "Here  is  a  message 
from  the  man  called  Mordecai,  O  Queen." 
Esther— {Reading.)  "Dear  Esther:— 
Although  a  very  humble  man,  I  now  have  op- 
portunity   to   do   the   King  a   great  favor. 

43 


1     t 


44     ESTHER,  THE  BRAVE  QUEEN 

While  I  stood  at  the  gate  this  morning  I 
overheard  two  of  the  King's  servants  talking 
about  him.  They  hate  him,  and  arc  plan- 
ning to  kill  him.  Of  course  they  do  not  know 
that  I  heard.  Send  a  message  to  the  King 
quickly  that  his  life  may  be  spared  and  these 
wicked  servants  arrested.  Your  cousin,  Mor- 
decai."  {Turning  to  Hatach.)  "Get  this 
word  to  the  King  quickly.  It  is  terrible!" 
{Exit  Queen.  Two  soldiers  enter  on  way  to 
the  King  and  are  stopped  by  Hatach.) 

Hatach — "Say  to  the  King  that  there  is 
a  plot  to  kill  him.  Mordecai,  the  Jew,  has 
learned  of  it  and  has  sent  the  word.  The 
enemies  are  two  of  the  servants."  {Exit 
Hatach.  Two  soldiers  enter  the  throne  room 
and  stand  before  the  King.) 

Soldier — "Two  of  your  servants  are 
traitors  and  are  planning  to  kill  your  High- 
ness. So  says  a  man  called  Mordecai,  who 
has  sent  the  word,  that  you  may  be  saved." 

King — {Coming  down  center.)  "Bring 
this  man  Mordecai  into  the  palace  and  in- 
quire of  him  who  the  servants  are!  Have 
them  hanged  for  such  a  plot  as  that !  Can  I 
not  trust  even  my  own  servants?"     {Exeunt 


111 

in 


ESTHER,  THE  BRAVE  QUEEN      45 

both  soldiers  to  adjoining  room,  one  waiting 
there,  the  other  passing  off.  Enter  Mordecai 
xvith  the  soldier.  He  and  the  two  soldiers 
talk  in  undertone  a  moment,  then  start  away 
together.  As  they  turn  they  meet  Haman 
on  his  way  to  the  King.  The  soldiers  bow 
to  Human,  but  Mordecai  does  not.) 

Haman — {Stands  looking  after  them, 
shaking  his  fist  angrily  at  Mordecai.  Aside. ) 
"I  hate  that  Jew  Mordecai  I  He  will  not 
bow  to  me.  Am  I  not  next  to  the  King  in 
power?  I  will  make  trouble  for  him  if  I 
can  I"  {Enters  the  throne  room  and  bows  to 
King.)  "There  is  a  people  scattered  abroad 
in  the  land  whose  laws  are  different  from  the 
King's.  It  is  not  best  to  allow  such  people 
to  live.    I  suggest  that  they  be  destroyed." 

King — "Very  well.  Let  us  avoid  all  dan- 
ger. I  have  just  now  learned  of  an  attempt 
upon  my  life.  I  give  these  people  to  you — 
do  with  them  as  you  please." 

Haman — "I  shall  write  a  Proclamation  in 
your  name,  that  they  must  all  be  killed." 
{Exeunt  King  and  Haman.) 


j.l 


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ACT  II 

Before  Palace  Gate 

{Enter  Mordecai  and  two  servants.) 
Soldier — {Enters  reading  Proclamation.) 
"Upon  the  thirteenth   day  of  the  twelfth 
month  all  Jews  must  die — so  doth  the  King 
command." 

Mordecai — {Listens  intently,  then  throw- 
ing hands  over  face  waHs  and  runs  out,  cry- 
ing.) *'I  will  tell  Esther,  the  Queen,  and 
perhaps  she  can  save  us  1" 


46 


ACT  III 

Throne  Room  of  Palace 

{King  on  throne,  guarded  by  soldiers.) 
Esther — {Slowly  approaching  the  throne 
room.)  "It  is  that  wicked  Haman  who  has 
planned  this  terrible  thing.  Of  course  he 
did  it  because  Cousin  Mordecai  wouldn't  bow 
to  him.  He  doesn't  know  that  I  am  a  Jew, 
or  that  Mordecai  is  my  cousin.  Neither  does 
the  King.  What  will  they  say,  I  wonder, 
when  they  discover  these  things  1"  ( Taking 
another  step  or  two  and  pausing.)  "If  the 
King  does  not  hold  out  the  golden  scepter  to 
me,  I  shall  be  slain  for  daring  to  come  to  him 
unasked.  But  all  the  Jews  are  praying  for 
me,  so  I  will  go  in.  If  I  die,  I  die !"  {Esther 
enters  and  stands  before  the  throne.) 

King — {Smiles  and  holds  out  the  golden 
scepter.  Esther  touches  the  tip  of  it.)  "What 
do  you  wish,  Queen  Esther?  It  shall  be 
given  you,  even  to  the  half  of  my  kingdom." 

47 


■ 


'M 


i^^- 


48      ESTHER,  THE  BRAVE  QUEEN 

EsTHER--."If  it  please  the  King,  I  wish 
you  and  Haman,  the  Prince,  to  come  to  a 
dinner  which  I  have  prepared  for  you." 

King— .'Thank  you,  Queen  Esther,  I  will 
send  for  him  and  we  will  come."  (Exit 
Queen,  then  King.) 


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ACT  IV 
Queen's  Quarters  in  the  Palace 


Time — after  the  dinner 

{King,  Queen  and  Haman  present.  Two 
servants  near.    Soldiers  at  door.) 

King — "Thank  you,  Queen  Esther,  for 
having  invited  us  to  the  feast.  And  now, 
what  do  you  wish  ?  Tell  me,  and  I  will  give 
it  ♦■o  you." 

Esther — "If  I  have  found  favor  in  your 
sight,  O  King,  and  if  it  pleases  you,  let  my 
life  be  given  me  and  the  lives  of  my  people. 
For  we  have  been  sold,  I  and  my  people,  to 
be  destroyed!"  (Haman  looks  startled  and 
half  rises.) 

King — "What  do  you  mean?  Who  has 
dared  plan  such  a  thing!" 

Esther — "This  is  the  man  who  has  dared! 
This  wicked  Haman !  I  am  a  Jew,  and  he 
has  asked  that  all  t'.e  Jews  be  put  to  death  I" 

King—  ( To  Haman. )    "The  Jews !  You 

49 


II 


50     ESTHER,  THE  BRAVE  QUEEN 

did  not  tell  me  that  you  meant  the  Jewsl 
Why  did  you  plan  this  thing?  Certainly 
not  because  of  their  laws  as  you  pretended." 
Haman— "Well,  I  will  tell  you  all.  There 
is  a  Jew  called  Mordecai  who  stands  at  the 
King's  gate.  Although  I  am  such  a  great 
man,  he  refuses  to  bow  to  me.  He  has  made 
me  so  angry  that  I  have  had  a  gallows  made 
upon  which  to  have  him  hanged.  Because 
of  him  I  planned  that  all  of  the  Jews  should 
be  killed.  But"  {Turning  to  Esther.)  "I  did 
not  know,  O  Queen,  that  they  were  your 
people." 

Esther — "Not  only  are  they  my  people, 
but  Mordecai  is  my  cousin,  dearer  to  me  than 
most  cousins,  for,  my  parents  having  died,  he 
brought  me  up  as  his  own  daughter." 

King — {Pacing  up  and  down.)  "Morde- 
cai! The  name  sounds  strangely  familiar. 
Is  he  not  the  one  who  saved  my  life  re- 
cently?" 

Haman — {Kneeling  before  the  Queen.) 
"Save  my  life,  O  Queen  Esther  1  These 
things  were  unknown  to  me  I" 

Esther — "But  your  sin  is  no  less  that  I 
am  Jewish.    It  was  a  wicked,  wicked  thing 


il 

IS 


ESTHER,  THE  BRAVE  QUEEN      51 

to  plan, — the  slaying  of  a  whole  people,  be- 
cause of  your  foolish  pride !" 

King — {To  soldier.)  "He  shall  die  for 
this.  Take  him  out  and  hang  him  on  the 
gallows  of  which  he  tells  us.  And  this  Mor- 
decai — he  is  the  one  who  saved  my  life  re- 
cently. Was  he  rewarded  in  any  way?  He 
shall  be  made  Prince  in  Haman's  place." 
{Turning  to  Queen  Esther.)  "Do  not  be 
sad  any  longer,  Queen  Esther,  for  the  Jews 
shall  not  die,  but  shall  have  gladness  and  joy 
and  honor  I  And  Mordecai  shall  be  a  Prince, 
next  in  power  to  the  King." 


t' 


.1      r-i 

I  V. 


M 


II 


PETER  AND  THE  ROMAN  CAPTAIN. 


rtf-3  ) 


n 


Acts  10:1-9,  17-48 
Characters: 

Cornelius,  a  Roman  Captain. 
Two  house-servants  of  Cornelius. 
A  Soldier  who  waited  upon  him. 
Peter,  a  Jew. 

Friends  of  Peter  {Jews  of  Joppa) . 
Friends  of  Cornelius   {Gentiles  of 

Casarea) . 
A  Beggar  near  the  home  of  Cornelius. 
Materials  : 
Screen. 

Flowing  robes  {kimonos  will  serve). 
Girdle. 
Turbans. 

{If  one  wishes  to  represent  and  teach 
the  customs  of  the  times,  the  robes, 
girdle  and  turbans  will  help.  See  "The 
Private  Life  of  the  Romans,"  by  John- 
son, for  details  regarding  the  home  and 
furnishings,  attitude  in  prayer,  etc.) 
Synopsis  : 

Act     I — Home  of  Cornelius  in  Ca- 
sarea. 
Act   II — Peter  in  Joppa. 
Act  III — Home  of  Cornelius.     {The 
following  day.) 


PETER   AND   THE    ROMAN 
CAPTAIN 


r 

It. 


ACT  I 

Home  of  Cornelius  in  Caesarea 

Cornelius — {Walking  slowly  toward  his 
home  pauses  to  toss  a  coin  to  a  beggar  who 
is  sitting  in  the  background.  Entering  the 
house — passing  the  screen — lays  of  his  tur- 
ban and,  standing,  engages  in  silent  prayer. 
Turning  suddenly.)  "Joppa?  Joppa?  I 
have  heard  before  that  this  man  whom  they 
call  Simon  Peter  is  there  I  That  is  thirty 
miles  south.  How  strange  that  this  has  been 
put  into  my  mind — that  I  must  send  for  him. 
Had  I  better  do  it?  I  am  a  Gentile  and  the 
Jews  have  no  use  for  us  I  Perhaps  if  I  sent 
for  him,  he  would  not  come.  But  I  will  do 
itl"  {Soldier  enters.)  "As  I  prayed  just 
now  a  wonderful  thing  happened.  God  spoke 
to  me  and  said  that  I  should  send  to  Joppa 

55 


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I: 


56     PETER  AND  THE  CAPTAIN 

for  one  named  Simon  Peter,  to  come  and 
preach  to  us.  I  am  ashamed  that  I  have 
hesitated.  Will  you  gc  with  two  of  my  ser- 
vants and  bring  him  ?  Tell  him  of  my  prayer 
and  that  1  feel  that  God  wishes  him  to  come." 

Soldier— "That  I  will,  and  I  trust  that  he 
agrees.  If  so,  let  us  ask  our  friends  in  to 
hear  aim  speak." 

Cornelius — "Yes.  And  now  call  two 
servants  to  accompany  you."  {The  soldier 
leaves  and  returns  with  two  servants.) 

Cornelius — "You  are  to  go  to  Joppa  to 
bring  back  a  man  called  Simon  Peter.  He  is 
at  the  home  of  a  tanner  whose  name  also  is 
Simon.  You  will  travel  all  night,  following 
the  road  south  by  the  Great  Sea,  and  should 
reach  there  about  noon  tomorrow.  Make 
haste  and  return  with  him  as  quickly  as  pos- 
sible."    {They  how  low  and  leave  him.) 


ACT  II 
Peter  in  Joppa 

Peter — (Kneels  in  prayer — Peter^s  cus- 
tom [Acts  9:40"] — then  sits,  leaning  against 
wall,  and  falls  asleep.  Soldier  and  two  ser- 
vants approach  and  knock  at  door  [screen"].) 

Soldier — "Peter  1  Simon  Peter  1  Arc 
you  here?" 

Peter — (Aroused  from  dream  and  sitting 
up.)  "Well,  it  is  strange  I  never  thought  of 
that  before  I  We  Jews  have  thought  we  were 
better  than  other  people,  but  God  has  surely 
told  me  in  my  dream  that  we  are  no  better 
than  the  Gentiles.  He  loves  all  people, 
everywhere.  And  perhaps  I  am  the  one  who 
should  teach  the  Gentiles  regarding  Christ." 
(Again  the  servants  knock  at  the  door  and 
the  soldier  calls.) 

Soldier— "Peter  I    Peter  I" 

Peter — (Coming  to  door.)  "Behold  I 
am  Peter,  whom  you  seek.  For  what  cause 
are  you  come  ?" 

57 


58     PETER  AND  THE  CAPTAIN 

Soldier— "Cornelius,  the  Centurion,  of 
Caesarea,  who  is  a  good  man,  was  told  by 
God  to  send  for  you.  He  wishes  you  to 
come  to  his  home,  that  he  might  hear  words 

of  you." 

Peter — "Come  into  the  house.  We  will 
give  you  food  and  places  to  sleep.  Then  to- 
morrow I  will  journey  with  you  to  Caesarea." 
{They  enter,  remove  turbans  and  sit,  Orien- 
tal fashion,  while  Peter  for  a  moment  paces 
back  and  forth,  lost  in  thought.) 

Peter — "But  come  now  into  the  inner 
room  and  refresh  yourselves  from  your  long 
journey."     {Exeunt  all  at  left.) 


ACT  III 

Home  of  Cornelius.     The  Following 

Day. 


{Scene — Peter  and  "certain  brethren  from 
Joppa,"  the  soldier  and  two  servants  of  Cor- 
nelius approaching  the  home  of  Cornelius. 
On  the  platform  awaiting  them,  Cornelius 
and  his  company  of  "kinsmen  and  near 
friends."  Cornelius  arises,  runs  to  the  door 
and  prostrates  himself  before  Peter.) 

Peter — "Stand  up,  for  I  myself  also  am 
a  man."  {They  enter  and  see  company 
which  Cornelius  has  gathered,  who  also  arise 
and  prostrate  themselves  before  Peter.) 

Peter — "Ye,  also,  stand  up.  I  am  but  a 
man."  {They  all,  excepting  Cornelius,  are 
seated  again.) 

Cornelius — "We  are  very  glad  you  have 
come  to  us,  Simon  Peter.  We  are  gathered 
together  to  hear  you  speak  to  us." 

Peter — "Ye  yourselves  know  that  there 
59 


6o    PETER  AND  THE  CAPTAIN 


iii 

if 


1 


is  a  law  that  Jews  shall  not  go  to  the  houses 
of  any  other  people.  But  God  has  shown  mc 
that  Jews  must  not  think  they  are  better  than 
the  Gentiles.  God  loves  us  no  better  than 
you,  and  He  has  told  me  to  come  to  you,  so 
I  am  here.  But  tell  me,  Why  was  it  that  you 
sent  for  me  ?" 

Cornelius — "Four  days  ago  at  this  hour 
I  was  praying  in  my  house  here  and  God  told 
me  that  He  heard  my  prayer.  And  He  put 
it  into  my  thoughts  to  send  to  Joppa  and  find 
you,  Simon  Peter. 

Peter — "Now  I  am  more  certain  than 
ever  that  God  loves  you,  and  every  man, 
woman,  boy  aid  girl  belongs  to  Him.  Since 
that  is  true,  I  want  to  tell  you  about  Jesus. 
He  is  the  Son  of  God,  pron^ised  of  old.  He 
was  born  in  Bethlehem  and  when  He  became 
a  man  He  went  about  doing  good.  He  was 
full  of  the  Holy  Spirit  and  of  power.  He 
healed  the  sick  and  raised  the  dead.  I  my- 
self saw  Him  do  these  things.  And  He  was 
WITHOUT  sinI  But  the  Scribes  and  Phari- 
sees did  not  believe  in  Him.  Bye  and  bye 
they  crucified  Him  and  nailed  Him  to  a  cross, 
as  perhaps  you  have  heard.     But  did  you 


t  i 


PETER  AND  THE  CAPTAIN      6i 

hear  also  that  In  three  days  He  arose  and 
ascended  into  Heaven?  I  saw  that,  also. 
He  is  there  with  God,  now.  Everyone  who 
repents  of  his  sins  and  believes  on  Him  shall 
not  perish  but  have  everlasting  life." 

Cornelius — "Oh,  it  is  wonderful,  Peter, 
and  I  do  believe  I  But  we  want  to  know 
more.  Will  you  not  tarry  with  us  for  sev- 
eral days?" 

Peter — "Yes,  I  will  tarry  with  you  for 
a  few  days,  and  my  friends  here  also.  After 
that  we  will  go  up  to  Jerusalem  and  tell  the 
friends  there  of  this  wonderful  thing  which 
has  happened.  When  they  lea  n  that  God 
truly  loves  all  people,  I  am  sure  that  they 
too  will  want  to  go  out  and  preach  the  gospel 
to  other  Gentiles." 


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TWO  JOURNEYS  TO  BETHLEHEM 


r  I 


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■i!  ■ 


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Luke  2:8-20  and  Matt.  2:1-12 
Characters  : 

Shepherds  (Three). 

Voice. 

Mary. 

Joseph. 

Men  of  Bethlehem. 

Women  of  Bethlehem. 

Herod,  the  King. 

Servant  of  King. 

Priests  {Two). 

Scribes  {Three). 
Materials  : 

Manger. 

Flowing  robes. 

Staffs. 

Crooks. 

Turbans. 

Scrolls. 

Draped  chair,  to  represent  throne. 

Packages,    supposed   to    be    the   gold, 
frankincense  and  myrrh. 


!i 


Synopsis: 

Act   I — The  Shepherds. 

Scene  i — Shepherds  in  Field. 
Scene  2 — Shepherd^  Arrival  at 
Stable. 
Act  ll^The  Wise  Men. 

Scene  i — Wise  Men  Before  the 

King 
Scene  2 — Wise  Men  at  the  Inn. 


W 


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111 


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1 1 

!   I 

I -I 


TWO  JOURNEYS  TO 
BETHLEHEM 

ACT  I 


The  Shepherds 

Scene  i — Shepherds  in  Field 

{Enter  Shepherds.) 

First  Shepherd — "Let  us  lie  down  for 
a  while.    The  sheep  are  all  safe." 

Second  Shepherd — "I  feel  strangely 
wakeful  tonight,  but  I  will  try  to  get  some 
rest  before  dawn."  {Shepherds  lie  down. 
Then,  frightened,  they  jump  to  their  feet, 
shading  their  eyes  as  from  a  great  light.) 

Voice — "Be  not  afraid;  for,  behold,  I 
bring  you  tidings  of  great  joy  which  shall 
be  to  all  people ;  for  there  is  born  this  day  in 
Bethlehem  a  Savior,  who  is  Christ,  the  Lord. 
You  may  see  Him  there,  and  you  will  know 
Him  by  this  sign:  He  is  lying  in  a  manger 
at  the  inn." 


68     JOURNEYS  TO  BETHLEHEM 

Many  Voices—  {Sinking.) 
"Holy  night  1     Silent  night  1 
All  is  calm,  all  is  bright, 
Round  yon  Virgin  mother  and  child, 
Holy  infant,  tender  and  mild. 
Rests  in  heav'nly  peace. 
Rests  in  heav'nly  peace." 
{The  Shepherds  hearing,   look  at  each 
other  in  amazement,  then  join  in  the  ^ong, 
leaving  the  platform  as  they  do  so.) 
All  Voices — 

"Holy  night  I    Silent  night  I 
All  is  calm,  all  is  bright, 
With  the  angels  let  us  sing 
Hal-le-lu-jah  to  our  Kingi 
Jesus  Christ  is  here. 
Jesus  Christ  is  here." 
Curtain 


Scene  2 — Shepherds*  Arrival  at  Stable 


!     ' 


{Mary  reclining  near  the  manger.  Enter 
Joseph  and  sits  near.  Enter  men  and  women 
of  Bethlehem.  Look  in  manger  and  talk  in 
undertones.    Enter  three  Shepherds.) 


i 


JOURNEYS  TO  BETHLEHEM     69 

First  Shepherd — "It  there  a  baby  boy 
here?" 

Mary— "Yes,  a  dear  little  baby  boy. 
Would  you  like  to  look  at  Him?" 

First  Shepherd — "If  you  do  not  object." 
{/Ill  walk  to  manner  and  look  in.) 

Second  Shepherd — "Let  us  tell  the 
mother  what  happened  in  the  field."  ( Turn- 
ing to  Mary.)  "A  very  strange  thing  hap- 
pened to  us  during  the  night.  We  were  in 
the  field  tending  the  sheep  when  a  bright  light 
shone  about  us  and  an  angel  of  the  Lord 
spoke  and  said :  'Be  not  afraid,  I  bring  you 
news  of  great  joy  which  shall  be  to  all  peo- 
ple ;  for  there  is  born  this  day  in  the  city  of 
David  a  Savior  which  is  Christ,  the  Lord." 

Third  Shepherd — "The  angel  also  said 
that  wc  could  see  Him  and  told  us  He  would 
be  here  in  the  manger." 

First  Shepherd — "Then  we  heard  a 
song  sung  by  many  angel  voices — a  beautiful 
song  it  was.  As  they  sang  we  joined  in  the 
singing  and  started  at  once  to  find  the  babe." 

Women  of  Bethlehem — "Do  you  really 
think  this  little  baby  is  the  promised  Mes- 
siah?" 


•J 


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> 


70     JOURNEYS  TO  BETHLEHEM 

First  Shepherd — "Of  course  He  ii.  If 
you  had  been  with  us,  you  would  not  doubt 

it." 

Second  Shepheri>— ''We  arc  indeed  fa- 
vored, to  be  among  the  first  to  know  of  His 
birth  and  to  see  Him." 

Third  Shepherd — "How  strange  He 
wasn't  born  in  a  palace.  Let  us  go  back  to 
our  flocks  and  as  we  go  we  will  tell  the  glad 

news." 

First  Shepherd — "Let  us  sing  the  song 
that  the  angels  sang."   {Exeunt  as  they  sing.) 
"Holy  night  1    Silent  night  I 
All  is  calm,  all  is  bright, 
Round  yon  Virgin  mother  and  child, 
Holy  infant,  tender  and  mild, 
Rests  in  heavenly  peace. 
Rests  in  heavenly  peace." 
Curtain 


4 


ACT  II 

The  Wise  Men 
Scene  t — fVise  Men  Before  the  King 

{Enter  King,  followed  by  two  servants, 
who  stand  at  entrance.  King  paces  back  and 
forth,  apparently  lost  in  thought.) 

King— "And  so  they  think  that  a  King 
has  been  born.  In  that  case  I  might  lose  my 
own  kingdom  before  many  years.  That 
would  never  do  I  I  will  send  for  my  priests 
and  scribes  and  ask  them  about  this  Christ, 
for  whom  all  the  people  are  looking.  The 
whole  thing  is  very  strange."  ( To  servant.) 
"Bring  the  priests  and  scribes."  (Exit  ser- 
vant, bowing  low.  Enter  servant  with  priests 
and  scribes,  who  carry  scrolls.) 

King — {Seating  himself  on  throne,  while 
others  remain  standing.)  "Can  you  tell  me 
where  Christ,  the  King  of  Israel,  is  to  be 
born?"  {All  hunt  for  the  information  in 
scrolls. ) 


I 


'  f 


1  ' 


72     JOURNEYS  TO  BETHLEH'     i 

One  Scribe — "I  have  found  the  infer- 
ence. It  says  that  He  is  to  be  born  in  Beth- 
lehem. Thus  it  is  written  by  the  prophet: 
'And  thou,  Bethlehem,  in  the  land  of  Judah, 
art  not  least  among  the  princes  of  Judah; 
for  out  of  thee  shall  come  forth  one  who  shall 
rule  my  people  Israel.'  " 

King— "That  is  all.  You  may  go." 
{Exeunt  priests  and  scribes.  To  servants.) 
•'Search  for  the  three  Wise  Men  who  arc 
journeying  this  way  toward  Bethlehem. 
Bring  them  to  me.  Tell  them  that  the  King 
wishes  to  see  them."  {Exeunt  servants. 
King  paces  back  and  forth,  seating  himself 
on  throne  as  servants  enter  with  Three  Wise 
Men.)  "They  tell  me  that  a  star  appeared 
in  the  East  which  you  think  indicates  the 
birth  of  the  Messiah." 

Wise  Man— "It  is  true,  O  King." 

King — "At  what  time  was  the  star  first 
seen?" 

Wise  Man — "Several  nights  ago,  your 
Highness." 

King — "Very  well.  Go  to  Bethlehem  and 
there  search  carefully  for  the  child;  and 
when  you  have  found  Him  bring  mc  word, 


JOURNEYS  TO  BETHLEHEM    73 

/V*"**  ^  !.^'°  ""^y  ^°™^  *"^  worship  Him." 
(Exeunt  Three  Wise  Men.) 

Curtain 


Scene  2^}Vise  Men  at  the  Inn 

{Mary  and  baby  in  room  at  the  inn.  Mars 
sttttng  near  bed  of  baby.  A  rap  is  heard  at 
the  door.    Enter  the  Three  Wise  Men.) 

First  Wise  Man~"A  few  nights  ago  we 
saw  a  new  star  in  the  heaven.  We  soon  dis- 
covered  its  message-that  the  King  of  Israel 

this ;,::.»^"^-    ^'^  ''^'  ^-  ^'^^^  -  to 

Second  Wise  MAN-"This  is  indeed  the 
Messiah,  promised  of  old."  {The  Wise 
Men,  kneeling  in  worship,  ofer  their  pre- 
cious gtfts  of  gold,  frankincense  and  myrrh  ) 

Marv-  'Blessed  am  I,  indeed,  among 
women."    {Exeunt  Wise  Men.    Curtain) 


t  *J 
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Hi 

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1 

I 

THE  STORY  OF  THE  TWELVE  SPIES 


Numbers  13;  14:1-39 
Characters: 

Large  group  of  children  to  represent 

Israelites. 
Moses. 
Aaron. 
Joshua. 
Caleb. 

Ten  hoys  to  he  Spies. 
Larger  hoy  to  represent  Giant  in  Prom- 
ised Land. 
Larger  girl  to  represent  Giant  in  Prom- 
ised Land. 
Materials  : 

Large  hasket,  supposed  to  hold  grapes. 

Sticks  for  swords. 

Pointed  paper  caps  to  represent  soldier 

caps. 
Screens  or  curtains  that  the  "Voice"  may 
be  heard  but  not  seen. 
Synopsis  : 

Act     I — Leaving  of  the  spies  for  the 

Promised  Land. 
Act   II — Spying  Out  the  Land. 
Act  III — The  Return  and  Report  of 
the  spies. 


THE  STORY  OF  THE 
TWELVE  SPIES 


Prologue ; 


The  Israelites  had  been  journeying 
northward  toward  the  land  of  Canaan 
for  many  days,  led  by  the  pillar  of  cloud 
by  day  and  by  the  pillar  of  fire  by  night. 
At  last  they  came  to  a  place  just  on  the 
border  between  the  desert  and  Canaan 
called  Kadesh  -  barnea.  Here  they 
stopped  to  rest,  for  there  were  springs 
of  water  and  grass  for  the  cattle,  While 
they  waited,  God  told  Moses  to  send  on 
some  men  who  should  walk  through  the 
land,  then  come  back  and  tell  what  they 
had  found — what  kind  of  a  land  and 
what  kind  of  people  were  living  there. 
So  Moses  chose  twelve  men — a  ruler 
from  each  tribe.  Joshua  was  one  of 
those  chosen,  and  Caleb  another.  The 
boys  and  girls  will  show  what  happened. 
77 


I 


ACT  I 

Leaving  of  the  Spies  for  the  Promised 

Land 

{Israelites    sitting    and    standing    about. 
Moses  choosing  his  twelve  spies.) 

Moses — "Come,  Joshua,  you  shall  be  one 
of  the  twelve  spies."  {Joshua  comes  for- 
ward and  stands  beside  Moses.)  "Caleb, 
you  are  a  brave  man,  so  you,  also,  may  go." 
{Caleb  comes  forward  and  stands  beside 
Joshua.  Moses  walks  among  the  others, 
touching  the  chosen  ones  on  the  shoulder.) 
"And  you  and  you  and  you."  {Until  ten 
others  are  chosen.)  "Now  go  forth  to  the 
Promised  Land  and  learn  all  that  you  can 
about  it.  Then  hurry  back,  for  we  shall  be 
anxious  until  we  see  you  again."  {Exeunt 
spies.) 

Moses — "Come,  let  us  go  into  the  tents 
and  have  dinner."     {Exeunt  all.) 


78 


I 


ACT  II 
Spying  Out  the  Land 


{Enter  the  twelve  spies  looking  about  curi- 
ously. They  must  pretend  to  see  many 
things  and  by  whispering,  pointinj  and  ex- 
cited manner  show  each  other  their  imagin- 
ary findings.) 

One  of  Spies — "My,  look  at  that  giant  1 
I'm  afraid  of  him.  He  is  coming  this  wayl 
Let  us  hide  1"  {/111  hide  as  larger  boy  repre- 
senting soldier,  with  cap  and  sword,  passes 
by  them  and  out  of  sight.) 

Second  Spy — "These  people  who  live 
here  are  so  large  and  strong,  they  would  soon 
kill  us.  I  don't  think  we  had  better  bring  our 
army  over  here." 

Caleb — "It  is  a  fine  country,  though. 
Just  look  at  all  the  grass  our  flocks  might 
have." 

Third  Spy — "And  look  at  the  fields 
where  we  could  raise  wheat  and  barley." 

79 


8o 


THE  TWELVE   SPIES 


Joshua — "Yes,  and  look  at  these  fruit 
trees  and  the  streams.  I  think  it  is  worth 
fighting  for."  {Spies  walk  about  shading 
their  eyes  and  looking  in  all  directions.) 

Fourth  Spy — "Come,  let  us  be  returning 
to  the  camp.  They  will  think  something  has 
happened  to  us,  if  we  stay  away  longer." 
{Suddenly  a  tall  girl  passes  them,  looking  at 
them  curiously  and  saying  nothing.) 

Fifth  Spy — "Seel  Even  the  women  of 
this  land  are  much  larger  than  we.  They 
make  me  feel  about  as  big  as  a  grasshopper." 

Sixth  Spy — "I  wish  Moses  had  never  led 
us  out  of  Egypt  I" 

Seventh  Spy — "You  forget  the  hard  life 
there.  But  we  had  better  stay  away  from 
here  and  live  in  the  wilderness." 

Joshua — "Well,  I'm  not  afraid!  God  is 
on  our  side  and  He  will  help  us  to  overcome 
these  people.  Come,  let  us  go  back  and  make 
our  report."     {Exeunt  all.) 


ACT  III 
The  Return  and  Report  of  the  Spies 


( The  group  of  Israelites  stand  and  wave 
as  to  the  spies  afar  of,  then  as  the  spies  en- 
ter, surround  them,  and  ask  many  questions 
about  their  journey.  Joshua  and  one  of  the 
other  spies  enter,  carrying  large  basket.) 

Moses — "Well,  here  you  are  again  I  Tell 
us  what  you  found  in  the  Promised  Land." 

One  Spy — "The  people  are  like  giants 
and  would  soon  kill  us  all.  I  think  we  had 
better  stay  here." 

Caleb — "It  is  a  fine  country,  though. 
There  is  grass  everywhere  and  fine  soil  for 
farming.    It  is  a  beautiful  country." 

Joshua — "And  you  should  just  see  the 
fruit  trees.  All  kinds  of  fruit.  Look  at 
these.  Did  you  ever  see  such  grapes  or 
pomegranates  or  figs?  Pm  not  afraid  of 
the  people.    Let  us  go  I" 

Second  Spy — "But  you  should  see  their 

8z 


82 


THE   TWELVE   SPIES 


dries.    The  walls  arc  up  almost  to  the  sky. 
We  could  never  scale  them  1" 

Third  Spy — "They  are  fighters,  too.  You 
should  have  seen  the  soldier  who  came  our 
way!     We  all  hid  from  him!" 

A  Girl  of  Group — {Putting  hands  over 
face.)    "O  that  we  had  died  in  Egypt." 

Group — (Excitedly,  turning  to  Moses.) 
"Let  us  not  go !    Let  us  not  go  1" 

Moses — {Raising  hand  for  silence.) 
"Children  of  Israel,  you  forget  the  power  of 
God  How  He  led  you  out  of  Egypt;  how 
He  kept  you  from  danger  in  the  desert;  how 
He  gave  you  water  from  the  rock  and  bread 
from  the  sky.  All  of  you,  except  Caleb  and 
Joshua,  have  forgotten.  You  are  not  trust- 
ing GoJ."  {Moses  falls  on  knee  and  covers 
face  with  hands.) 

A  Voice  from  Without — {Impressively.) 
"O  Israel,  how  long  will  you  disobey  the 
Lordl  You  have  not  trusted  Him.  You 
are  weak  and  cowardly.  If  you  had  had 
faith  to  believe  that  God  would  help  you, 
and  gone  forward,  the  giants  would  have 
fallen  back  and  you  would  have  possessed 
the  land.    That  was  the  Lord's  plan  for  you  1 


i?  * 


THE   TWELVE   SPIES 


83 


But  now  you  shall  not  go  into  the  land,  for 
the  Lord  wants  only  brave  people  in  his  army 
— people  who  love  Him  enough  to  trust  Him. 
You  have  turned  away  from  God  and  so  you 
must  wander  in  the  wild-mess  for  forty 
years.  Joshua  and  Caleb  have  believed,  so 
some  day,  after  you  have  died,  they  shall 
lead  your  children  into  the  Promised  Land. 
Turn  back  into  the  desert  Sy  the  way  of  the 
Red  Sea.  {Exeunt  all,  heads  bent — going 
soberly  and  quietly.) 


In 


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THE  STORY  OF  JOSEPH 


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(T/tw  may  be  given  as  a  whole,  or  the 
acts  at  different  times  until  the  series  is  com- 
plete.) 

Characters: 
Jacob. 

Joseph,  son  of  Jacob. 

Judah,  son  of  Jacob. 

Reuben,  son  of  Jacob. 

Benjamin,  son  of  Jacob. 

Simeon,  son  of  Jacob. 

Jacob's  seven  other  sons. 

Stranger. 

Merchants. 

King  of  Egypt. 

Servants  in  Egypt, 

Three  "Wise  Men"  of  Egypt. 

Joseph's  Steward. 

Manasseh,  Joseph's  son  {five  years). 

Ephraim,  Joseph's  son  (three  years) . 

Wives  and  children  of  Joseph's 
brothers. 
Materials  : 

Robes  (kimonos  will  serve) . 

Joseph's  "coat  of  many  colors." 

Staff  for  Jacob. 

Gold  chain  and  ring  for  King. 

Rope  to  bind  Simeon. 


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Synopsis  : 
Act 


l^J  Rich  Man's  Son  Who  Was 
Sold  as  a  Slave.    (Gen.  37 : 
1-36.) 
Scene  i — The  Dream. 
Scene  2 — The  Bargain. 
Act   \\—From  Prison  to  Palace. 
(Gen.  40:1  to  41 :44.) 
Scene  i — In  Egyptian  Prison 
Scene  2— In    King's    Palace    (Two 
Years  Later) 
Act  III — A  Dream  Comes  True. 

(Gen.  41:46  to  42:38.) 
Act  IV— J  Lost  Brother  Found. 
(Gen.  43:1  1045:24.) 
Act  V — From  Famine  to  Plenty. 
(Gen.  45:25  to  50:26.) 


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THE  STORY  OF  JOSEPH 


ACT  I 

A  Rich  Man's  Son  Who  Was  Sold  as  a 

Slave 


Scene  i — The  Dream 

{Jacob  and  ten  oldest  sons  are  sitting  about 
on  floor.) 

Joseph— (Enters  and  walks  up  to  them.) 
"Brothers,  listen  to  this  dream  which  I  had 
a  few  nights  ago.  It  was  the  strangest  thing  I 
I  dreamed  that  we  were  all  out  in  the  field 
binding  sheaves  when  suddenly  my  sheaf 
stood  up  and  your  sheaves  bowed  down  to 
my  sheaf."     (Jll  laugh  scornfully.) 

JuDAH — "Do  you  suppose  that  the  dream 
means  that  you  will  sometime  rule  over  us 

andthat  we  will  bowdowntoyou?    Well,  I 
guess  not  I" 

Joseph— "Then  last  night  I  dreamed  that 
89 


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li  ) 

V  1 


90       THE  STORY  OF  JOSEPH 

the  sun  and  moon  and  eleven  stars  all  came 
and  bowed  down  to  me." 

Jacob — "Do  you  think,  Joseph,  that 
means  that  your  mother  and  brothers  and  I 
shall  bow  down  to  you?  I  do  not  think  so. 
Come,  and  go  with  me  into  the  tent.  Your 
brothers  here  wish  to  make  plans  for  their 
trip."  ( Turning  to  the  others.)  "It  is  hard 
indeed  to  find  enough  grass  for  the  sheep. 
But  I  believe  if  you  go  to  Shechem  you  will 
find  plenty."     {Exeunt  Jacob  and  Joseph.) 

Simeon— "Our  father  loves  Joseph  best 
of  all.  Of  course  Joseph  is  always  kind  to 
father  and  obeys  him,  no  matter  what  father 
asks  of  him.     But  just  the  same,  I  don't 

like  itl" 

Others— "Nor  II    Nor  II" 

Simeon- "Come  I  Let  us  start  on  our 
journey."     {Exeunt  all.) 


h 


Scene  2 — The  Bargain 

{Enter  the  ten  brothers.) 

Reuben — "Let  us  rest  a  while  in  this  shel- 
ter. The  sheep  will  not  wander  far."  {All 
seated  at  rear.) 


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THE  STORY  OF  JOSEPH       91 

Joseph — {Enters,  wandering  along,  look- 
ing to  the  other  side  and  shading  eyes  with 
hand.)  "Well,  I'm  pretty  tired  I  I've  come 
a  long  way  to  find  those  brothers  of  mine 
and  expected  to  find  them  here  at  Dothan. 
I  wonder  where  they  are."  {He  continues 
to  look.) 

JuDAH — "Look,  that  dreamer  is  coming. 
Come,  let  us  kill  him  and  throw  his  body  into 
a  pit.  We  can  tell  father  that  some  wild 
beast  has  eaten  him."  {Scornfully.)  "We 
will  see  what  comes  of  his  dreams  I" 

Reuben — "Oh,  let  us  not  kill  him  1  Just 
throw  him  into  the  pit  and  leave  him  there  to 
die."  {Others  talk  while  Reuben  runs  for- 
ward and  says  to  Joseph.)  "They  are  plan- 
ning to  throw  you  into  a  pit,  and  when  they 
are  gone  I  will  come  and  lift  you  out  and 
save  you."  {Jll  rush  forward,  pull  of  Jo- 
seph's coat  and  rush  of  stage  with  him.  The 
ten  brothers  re-enter  and  sit  on  floor.) 

Reuben — "I'm  going  to  look  after  the 
sheep  and  will  return  soon."  {Exit.  Enter 
Merchants.) 

One  of  Merchants — {Upon  seeing  the 
brothers.)      "Excuse  us,  sirs,  we  saw  this 


m 

1 1 


llii 


9a       THE  STORY  OF  JOSEPH 

shelter  and,  leaving  our  camels  and  wares, 
came  here  for  a  little  rest,  but  since  it  is 
already  occupied,  we  will  pass  on.     Oood- 

day."  ,  ^.^ »» 

JuDAH— "Wait  just  a  moment,  please. 

(Whispers  to  brothers,  who  nod  assent,) 

•There  is  a  lad  of  seventeen  in  the  Pit  near- 

by.    We  would  like  to  sell  him  to  you.    What 

will  you  pay  for  him?" 

MERCHANT-"If  he  is  a  strong  boy,  wc 
will  pay  you  twenty  pieces  of  silver  for  him. 

JUDAH— "Come,  brothers,  let  us  draw  him 
out  of  the  pit.  Come,  sirs,  you  will  sec  how 
strong  he  is  and  you  may  have  him  for  that 
price."     {Exeunt  all.    Brothers  re-enter  and 

sit.    Enter  Reuben.)  .        t        «. 

Reuben— "After  tending  the  sheep  1  went 

to  the  pit  to  see  if  Joseph  was  there  and 

he  is  gonel" 

JUDAH— "Yes,  we  sold  him  to  some  mer- 
chants, for  twenty  pieces  of  silver." 

REUBEN-"Whatl  Sold  Him?  Sold 
him?"  {Shaking  his  head.)  "Poor  father! 
What  will  you  tell  him?" 

TuDAH— "We  have  decided  to  kill  a  goat, 
dip  Joseph's  coat  in  the  blood  and  take  it  to 


THE  STORY  OF  JOSEPH       93 

father.  He  will  think  some  wild  beast  has 
eaten  him.  Come,  let  us  start  on  the  home- 
ward trip."  {Exeunt  all.  Reuben  last,  shak- 
ing his  head.) 


iiM 


;U 


ACT  II 

From  Prison  to  Palace 


!l:I^ 


:ir^ 


Scene  i — In  Egyptian  Prison 

( The  King's  Chief  Butler  and  Chief  Baker 
present.) 

Chief  Butler — "I  wonder  how  long  the 
King  will  keep  us  here.  You,  the  Chief 
Baker,  and  I,  the  Chief  Butler,  in  this  prison. 
We  have  done  no  wrong!" 

Chief  Baker — "And  there  is  that  man 
Joseph.  He  doesn't  say  much,  but  I  believe 
he  is  a  good  man." 

Chief  Butler — "I  feel  all  out  of  sorts 
this  morning.  I  had  a  very  strange  dream 
last  night." 

Chief  Baker — "So  did  I,  one  that  I  did 
not  like.  I  wish  someone  would  tell  us  what 
they  meant." 

Chief  Butler — "Tell  me  your  dream, 
and  I  will  tell  you  mine."  {Enter  Joseph  in 
old  clothes.) 

94 


■I    V 


J 


THE  STORY  OF  JOSEPH       95 

Chief  Baker— "Joseph,  we  had  very 
strange  dreams  last  night." 

Joseph— "Tell  me  what  they  were.  Per- 
haps my  God  will  help  me  to  understand 
them." 

Chief  Butler — "In  my  dream  was  a 
grape  vine  with  three  branches,  and  many 
grapes.  I  picked  them,  and  made  wine  for 
King  Pharaoh.  Then  I  gave  it  to  the  King 
to  drink,  just  as  I  used  to  do." 

Joseph— {Studying  a  moment.)  "Your 
dream  means  that  in  three  days  the  King 
will  give  you  back  your  place  and  that  you 
will  serve  him  as  before.  Please  speak  to 
him  about  me  when  you  see  him,  so  that  he 
will  take  me  out  of  this  prison.  I  have  done 
nothing  wrong." 

Chief  Baker— "Now  listen  to  my  dream. 
It  seemed  as  if  there  were  three  baskets  on 
my  head,  full  of  food  for  the  King.  And 
birds  came  and  ate  the  food  out  of  the 
baskets." 

Joseph — {Shaking  his  head  sorrowfully.) 
"I  am  afraid  it  means  that  in  three  days  the 
King  will  have  you  put  to  death.  But  per- 
haps I  am  wrong.    Let  us  hope  so." 


II 


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Ulii 


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I  ' 


96       THE  STORY  OF  JOSEPH 

Scene  2^In  King's  Palace 

Time — Two  Years  Later 

{King  on  throne  and  two  soldiers  standing 
near.    Chief  Butler  in  foreground.    He  offers^ 
wine  to  the  King.    Enter  three  "Wise  Men 
and  how  before  the  King.) 

One  of  "Wise  Men"— "We  have  been 
thinking  about  your  dream,  O  King,  and  none 
of  us  can  tell  its  meaning.     We  are  very 

sorry." 

King— "Begone  then,  since  you  have 
failed  I"  {Exeunt  "Wise  Men.")  {Aside.) 
"These  dreams  trouble  me.  I  wish  I  could 
find  someone  who  could  tell  me  their  mean- 

Chief  Butler— "I  remember  one  who 
might  do  it,  O  King  I  A  young  man  in  the 
prison  once  told  me  what  a  dream  meant, 
and  it  came  true  just  as  he  said.  His  name 
was  Joseph." 

King— (To  soldiers.)  "Bring  this  man 
Joseph  to  me."  {Butler  serves  King  with 
grape  juice.  King  paces  the  floor  anxiously 
watching  the  door.  Enter  soldiers  with 
Joseph.) 


i1 


THE  STORY  OF  JOSEPH       97 

King — "I  have  dreamed  a  dream  and  no 
one  can  tell  me  what  it  means.  My  butler 
says  that  you  once  told  him  the  n.eaning  of 
a  dream.    Will  you  try  to  interpret  mine?" 

Joseph — "The  power  is  not  in  me,  but 
God  will  give  Pharaoh  a  good  answer. 
What  is  the  dream?" 

King — "I  really  had  two  dreams.  In  the 
first  I  was  standing  by  a  river  and  seven  fat 
cows  came  up  from  the  river  to  feed  in  the 
grass.  While  they  were  feeding,  seven  other 
cows  followed  them — thin  and  poor  and  lean 
— and  they  ate  up  the  seven  fat  cows.  But 
after  they  had  eaten  the  fat  cows  they  were 
as  lean  as  before.  Then  I  awoke.  And  I 
dreamed  again  and  saw  seven  heads  of  grain 
large  and  strong.  And  seven  thin  heads 
came  up  and  swallowed  the  seven  good 
heads." 

Joseph — "The  two  dreams  have  the  same 
meaning.  The  seven  good  cows  and  good 
heads  of  wheat  are  seven  years — years  of 
plenty  in  the  land.  The  seven  lean  cows  and 
withered  heads  of  grain  mean  seven  years 
of  famine  to  follow.  The  seven  years  of 
plenty  will  be  forgotten,  for  the  people  will 


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98       THE  STORY  OF  JOSEPH 

have  nothing  to  eat.  Let  the  King  find  some 
wise  man  to  rule  over  the  land  and  teach  the 
people  to  save  plenty  of  food  that  no  one 
suffer  when  the  famine  comes." 

King — "I  appoint  you,  Joseph,  to  rule 
over  the  land.  You  shall  be  next  to  me  in 
power."  {Puts  his  ring  on  Joseph's  finger 
and  his  gold  chain  around  Joseph's  neck.) 

Joseph — "Thank  you,  O  King.  Now  I 
shall  go  and  make  my  plans."  ( Curtain — or 
exeunt  King,  guarded  by  soldiers,  then  ser- 
vants.) 


H 


nu 


ACT  III 


A  Dream  Comes  True 

Scene — Egypt.  Time — Nine  years  later. 

{Joseph  sits  upon  throne.  Servants  fan 
him.  Joseph,  looking  out  entrance,  starts  up 
excitedly  at  sight  of  ten  brothers,  then  com- 
poses himself. ) 

Joseph — "And  so  they  are  coming  to  buy 
grain  of  me.  I  wonder  if  they  will  know  me. 
I  wonder  if  they  are  as  selfish  and  cruel  and 
wicked  as  they  used  to  be.  I  will  put  them 
to  the  test."  {Enter  brothers  and  bow  down 
to  Joseph.) 

Joseph— (Ov<rr  their  heads.)  "Ah,  my 
dream  comes  true!" 

JuDAH — "Did  you  speak,  sir?" 

Joseph— "Not  to  you.  Who  are  you, 
and  from  where  do  you  come?" 

Simeon — "We  have  come  from  the  land 
of  Canaan  to  buy  food." 

99 


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100     THE  STORY  OF  JOSEPH 

Joseph — "No  1  You  have  probably  come 
as  spies  to  see  how  helpless  the  land  is,  that 
you  may  make  war  upon  us." 

Reuben — "No,  we  are  not  spies.  We  are 
ten  brothers  who  live  in  Canaan.    We  have 

no  food." 

Joseph— "Who  is  your  father?  Have 
you  other  brothers?  Tell  me  all  about  your- 
selves." 

JuDAH — "Our  father  is  an  old  man  in 
Canaan.  We  have  one  brother  at  home  and 
one  brother  who  was  lost." 

Joseph — "I  will  shut  one  of  you  in  prison. 
The  rest  of  you  may  go  home  and  take  food 
for  your  people.  Come  back  and  bring  your 
youngest  brother  with  you,  that  I  may  know 
that  you  have  spoken  the  truth."  {Pointing 
to  Simeon,  and  addressing  servant.)  "Bind 
this  one."  {Servant  wraps  rope  round  and 
round  and  leads  Simeon  off  stage.) 

Joseph — "And  now  the  rest  of  you  may 
Wi-  it  outside  the  palace  until  the  sacks  of  grain 
are  brought  to  you."  {Points  the  way  out. 
Exeunt  brothers.) 

Joseph— (To  soldier.)     "See  that  each 
man  is  given  a  sack  of  grain  and  put  every 


I 'ft 


THE  STORY  OF  JOSEPH      loi 

man's  money  back  into  the  sack  before  it  is 
tied  up."  {To  himself  as  he  strolls  out.) 
"And  so  my  dream  did  come  true.  They 
came  and  bowed  to  me,  not  knowing  who  I 
was."     (Exit.) 


11 


I! 


ACT  IV 


I)    ti 


= 


A  Lost  Brother  Found 
Scene — Joseph's  House 

(R.  Enter  ten  brothers,  looking  frightened 
and  sorrowful,  followed  by  several  ser- 
vants.) 

Benjamin — "My  1  This  ruler  has  a  beau- 
tiful home,  hasn't  he?" 

JuDAH — "But  I  wish  we  had  never  seen 
it !  Now  because  we  were  invited  here  and 
dined  with  the  ruler,  somehow  or  other  his 
silver  cup  got  into  your  sack  and  we  shall  be 
sold  as  slaves." 

Reuben — "It  is  certainly  very  strange 
about  that,  and  the  money  also.  We  have 
stolen  nothing,  but  we  will  find  it  hard  to 
make  him  believe  it.  I  wish  we  had  never 
come  to  Egypt  on  this  second  trip.  To  have 
starved  would  have  been  better!" 

Benjamin — "But    he    made    you    leave 

102 


THE  STORY  OF  JOSEPH      103 

Simeon  here,  and  he  forced  you  to  bring  me 
along.  It  is  all  very  strange."  (Enter 
Joseph,) 

Joseph— "What  wicked  thing  is  this  that 
you  have  done?  Did  you  not  know  that  I 
would  surely  find  out  your  deeds?" 

JuDAH— "Oh,  my  Lord,  what  can  we  say? 
God  has  punished  us  for  our  sins,  and  now 
we  must  all  be  slaves  I" 

Joseph— "No,  only  one  is  guilty,  the  one 
who  took  my  cup.  I  will  hold  him  as  a  slave. 
The  rest  of  you  may  go  home." 

JUDAH—(  Comiw^  forth  and  falling  at 
Joseph's  feet. )  "Do  not  say  that,  my  Lord. 
Our  father  loves  him  best  of  all,  now  that 
our  other  brother  is  lost.  I  promised  to  bear 
the  blame  if  he  were  not  brought  home  in 
safety.  If  he  does  not  go  back  it  will  kill 
our  old  father.  Let  him  go  and  I  wiU  stay, 
a  slave  in  his  place." 

Joseph—  ( To  servants. )  "You  may  pass 
out.  ^  {To  brothers. )  "Come  near  to  me, 
1  wish  to  say  something  very  important. 
Listen— I  AM  Joseph  I"  (Frightened  and 
surprised,  the  brothers  draw  away  from 
him.)     "Yes,  I  am  Joseph,  your  brotherl 


I 

I 
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If- 


III'. 


■f 


104     THE  STORY  OF  JOSEPH 

You  sold  mc  into  Egypt,  but  it  is  all  right. 
God  needed  mc  here  at  this  time  to  save  your 

lives." 

Brothers— "Forgive  usl    Forgive  us  I 

Joseph— "Listen— there  have  been  two 
years  of  famine.  There  will  be  five  more. 
Now  go  home  and  bring  back  to  mc  my 
father  and  all  of  his  family.  That  is  the 
only  way  to  save  the  lives  of  all.  Take 
wagons  to  bring  the  women  and  children. 
Now,  good-bye  until  I  sec  you  again." 

Brothers— "Good-bye.  We  will  return 
as  soon  as  we  can."  {Exeunt  brothers,  then 
Joseph.) 


I- 


M 


i  '■ 


M  ^ 


' 


ACT  V 

From  Famine  to  Plenty 

{Enter  Joseph  and  his  old  father,  leaning 
upon  hts  staff.  Joseph  tenderly  places  him  in 
a  chatr.  Enter  Joseph's  eleven  brothers, 
therr  xmves  and  families,  and  sit  on  the  floor 
on  etther  side  of  Jacob.) 

JoSEPH-^My,  it  is  good  to  see  y  all  I 
And  now  that  you  have  come  to  Egypt  you 
shall  always  have  plenty  of  food."  ^ 

jACOB-.'«Now  I  can  die  in  peace,  for  I 

icnow  that  you,  Joseph,  are  alive  and  well  " 

JosEPH^«'Do  not  talk  of  dying,  fathe'r. 

rou  may  yet  live  for  a  long  time.     And 

now^would  you  not  like  to  sec  my  two 

Jacob  AND  BROTHERs-'Tes,  bring  them 
mi       {Extt  Joseph  and  re-enters  ivith  sons 
three  and  five  years  of  age.) 

JosEPH-"Thi»   is    Manassch    and   this 
105 


II 


I.. 


a 


1 


I  ■  r 


io6     THE  STORY  OF  JOSEPH 

Ephraim."    {Bringing  older  and  then  young- 
er forward.) 

Jacob— •*!  expected  never  to  sec  you 
again,  Joseph,  and  how  thankful  I  am  that 
I  see  both  you  and  my  little  grandchildren  I" 
{Puts  arms  about  them.) 

J08EPH— "All  the  children  may  go  out 
into  the  fields  for  a  while.  Come,  Manasseh 
and  Ephrs»im,  run  along  and  get  acquainted 
with  your  cousins.  It  is  high  time  you  knew 
each  other."  {Exeunt  children.)  "And 
now  if  you  women  would  like  to  do  so,  you 
may  wander  about  my  house  and  gardens. 
They  are  very  beautiful." 

One  of  Women— "Thank  you,  very 
much."     {Exeunt  women.) 

Joseph — "Now  let  me  tell  you  something. 
The  King  knows  that  you  are  here  and  has 
asked  to  see  you.  Shall  we  all  go  to  him 
immediately?" 

Jacob — "Yes,  let  us  go  to  him.  I  wish  to 
thank  him  for  his  goodness  to  my  boy."  {As 
they  start  off  stage.)  "Joseph,  you  have 
been  a  true  son,  a  forgiving  brother  and  a 
faithful  servant — and  God  has  blessed  you." 
Joseph — "It  is  true  that  God  has  cared 


THE  STORY  OF  JOSEPH      107 

for  me,  and  I  am  sure  that  even  those  things 
which  are  hardest  to  bear,  work  together  for 
good  to  them  that  love  Him."   {Exeunt  all.) 


II  (I 

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NAAMAN  AND  GEHAZI 


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II  Kings  5:9-27 
Characters  : 

Naaman,  General  in  Syrian  Army. 
Naaman's  Servants  {Four). 
Elisha,  Prophet  in  Israel. 
Gehazi,  Servant  of  Elisha. 
Materials  : 
Screen. 
Bags,  supposed  to  hold  Naaman's  gold 

and  raiment. 
Scroll  for  Elisha. 

Talcum  to  make  leper's  skin  "white  as 
snow."     ( This  will  give  a  little  idea 
of  the  disease  without  dwelling  upon 
the  more  horrible  details.) 
Flowing  robes,  if  desired. 
Synopsis  : 

A».T     I — Elisha's  Home. 

Scene  i — Naaman  Comes  to  Elisha 

for  Cure. 
Scene  2 — Return  of  Naaman,  After 
the  Cure. 
Act   II — Road  to  Damascus. 
Act  III — Elisha's  Home. 


NAAMAN  AND  GEHAZI 


ACT  I 

Elisha's  Home 

Scene  i—Naaman  Comes  to  Eliska  for  Help 

{Screen  midway  on  platform — the  space 
to  the  right  representing  the  approach  to 
Elisha's  house,  the  space  to  the  left  repre- 
senting the  interior.  Enter  Elisha  and  Ge- 
hazi  from  right  and  pass  into  house.  Gehazi 
hears  knocking  and  goes  to  door  [a  screen]. 
Enter  servant  of  Naaman.) 

Elisha — **Good  morning.  What  can  I 
do  for  you?" 

SERVANT--"My  master,  Naaman,  a  Gen- 
eral in  the  Syrian  army,  is  at  your  door.  He 
is  a  great  man  in  ranic,  and  a  brave  man  in 
battle.  But  he  is  a  Leper  I  He  has  heard 
of  you  and  has  come  that  you  might  cure 
him  of  his  leprosy." 

ZZI 


'll 


J!    t 

I 


W' 


I 


112      NAAMAN  AND  GEHAZI 

Elisha — "Tell  him  to  go  and  wash  in  the 
river  Jordan  seven  times  and  he  shall  be 
cured."  {Servant  bows  and  goes  out,  but  re- 
turns immediately.) 

Servant — "My  m^aster  is  very  angry,  sir, 
that  you  do  not  treat  hin-'  with  more  respect. 
He  supposed  that  you  would  come  out  to 
meet  him,  wave  your  hand  over  him,  call  on 
the  name  of  the  Lord,  your  God,  and  he 
would  be  cured.  He  says  that  there  are  two 
rivers  in  Damascus  better  than  all  the  rivers 
in  Israel." 

Elisha — "But  I  said  for  him  to  wash  in 
the  river  Jordan."  {Servant  bows  and 
leaves.) 


l\ 


Scene  2 — Return  of  Naaman  after  the  Cure 

{Elisha  reading.  Servant  sitting  on  floor. 
Knock  is  heard  and  servant  goes  to  door.) 

Naaman — {Enters  followed  by  several 
servants,  each  carrying  a  bag.)  "See,  I  am 
no  longer  a  leper.  I  shall  never  be  able  to 
thank  you  enough  1  I  am  sure  now  that 
there  is  no  God  except  yours.  Let  me  make 
you  presents  of  gold  and  clothes." 


NAAMAN  AND  GEHAZI      113 

Elisha — "No,  no  I  I  will  accept  noth- 
ing. 

Naaman — "But  I  am  so  glad  to  be  well 
again  1  It  will  make  me  happy  to  repay  you 
in  this  way." 

Elisha — "Please  do  not  urge,  for  I  can- 
not take  your  gifts." 

Naaman — "From  this  time  I  will  wor- 
ship no  other  God  than  the  God  of  Israel. 
May  I  take  enough  soil  to  Syria  to  build  an 
altar  to  Him?" 

Elisha— "Yes,  go  in  peace."  {During 
this  conversation  Gehazi  tries  to  peep  into 
two  of  the  bags  and  looks  surprised  when 
his  master  refuses  pay.  Exeunt  Naaman  and 
servants,  then  Elisha.) 

Gehazi— (Shaking  his  head.)  "My  mas- 
ter has  let  this  Syrian  go  without  taking  any- 
thing from  him,  but  I  will  run  after  him  and 
ask  him  for  a  present."    {Exit  Gehazi.) 


-\  I 


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11 


"! 


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/ 


ACT  II 
Road  to  Damascus 

(Gehazi  and  Naaman  enter  from  different 
sides  and  meet.) 

Naaman — "I  saw  you  following  and, 
leaving  my  chariot,  I  have  come  back  to  meet 
you.     Is  all  well?" 

Gehazi— "All  is  well.  But  just  now  two 
young  men  have  come  to  the  house  and  my 
master  has  sent  me  to  ask  if  you  will  give 
them  a  talent  of  silver  and  two  suits  of 
clothes." 

Naaman — {Turning  about  and  calling 
two  of  his  servants,  who  appear,  each  carry- 
ing a  bag.)  "In  each  of  these  bags  is  a  suit 
of  clothing.  Allow  me  to  puc  into  each  a 
talent  of  silver"  {Putting  in  money.)  "and 
my  servants  will  carry  them  back  for  you." 

Gehazi — "Thank  you,  my  Lord.  Good- 
bye." {Naaman  passes  off  one  side  of  plat- 
form; Gehazi  and  servants,  bearing  bags, 
exeunt  right.) 

114 


lifi- 


ACT  III 
Elisha's  Home 

(Elisha  reading  scroll.    Enter  Gehazi.) 

Elisha — "Where  havf  you  been,  Ge- 
hazi?" 

Gehazi — "Nowhere." 

Elisha — "Oh,  Gehazi,  I  know  where  you 
have  been  and  what  you  did.  You  ran  after 
Naaman  for  a  gift.  He  saw  you  following 
and  came  back  to  meet  you.  You  told  him 
a  lie  in  order  to  get  the  gifts.  And  now  you 
have  hidden  them  and  have  lied  to  me  also. 
You  must  be  punished.  Because  you  have 
done  this  the  leprosy  of  Naaman  shall  come 
upon  you !"  {Gehazi  turns  back  to  audience, 
covers  face  with  his  hands,  moaning,  and  as 
he  does  so  rubs  talcum  over  his  face.  Exit 
Gehazi,  moaning.    Exit  Elisha.) 


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THE  STORY  OF  THE  BABY  MOSES 


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] 


Exodus  2:1-10 
Characters: 

The  Princess. 

Maids  of  the  Princess. 

The  Mother  of  Moses. 

Miriam. 
Materials  : 

Doll  {to  represent  baby). 

Basket  for  baby. 

Parasol. 

Kimonos  {if  desired,  to  represent  dress 

of  the  times). 


THE  STORY  OF  THE 
BABY   MOSES 


'  !| 


Once  upon  a  time,  a  long  time  ago,  there 
lived  a  beautiful  Princess  and  her  father  in 
a  wonderful  castle.  The  father  was  King  of 
a  country  called  Egypt.  People  called  Israel- 
ites lived  in  his  country.  They  were  good 
people  and  worshiped  God,  but  partly  for 
that  very  reason  the  King  was  cruel  to  them. 
He  made  them  his  slaves.  They  worked 
hard,  were  poor  and  suffered  much. 

But  one  day  he  did  the  worst  thing  of  all. 
He  sent  a  message  to  the  Israelites  through- 
out the  country.  The  Israelites  were  also 
called  Hebrews,  and  this  is  how  the  message 
read :  "Every  little  Hebrew  boy  that  is  born 
after  today  must  be  thrown  into  the  river." 
Oh  how  sorrowful  the  Hebrew  people  felt 
when  they  heard  the  command  1 

In  one  of  these  homes  lived  a  little  girl 
about  twelve  years  of  age  whose  name  was 
Miriam.    One  morning  when  she  opened  her 

119 


., 


!   i 


l-:r 


120      THE  STORY  OF  MOSES 

eyes  and  called  to  her  mother  she  found  that 
a  wonderful  thing  had  happened.  A  baby 
brother  had  come.  At  first  she  was  very 
happy,  for  she  loved  babies,  but  presently 
she  felt  sorry  indeed,  for  she  remembered 
what  the  King  had  ordered.  Her  mother 
cried  and  her  father  looked  so  sad.  They 
knew  that  if  the  baby  should  be  discovered, 
the  cruel  King  would  have  him  killed. 

For  some  days  they  hid  the  baby  and  none 
of  the  neighbors,  friends  or  passers-by  knew 
that  there  was  a  baby  in  the  house.    But  one 
day  the  mother  said,  "We  cannot  hide  the 
baby  any  longer.     He  is  getting  so  strong 
that  his  cry  can  be  heard  a  long  way.    Pco- 
pie  will  hear  it  and  someone  will  tell  the 
King.    Whatever  shah  we '-.o?"    Then  they 
thought  of  a  plan  and  asked  God  to  help 
them  save  the  baby's  life.     {Enter  child  rep- 
resenting  the  mother,  with  basket.)      The 
mother  took  a  basket  and  lined  it  with  some- 
thing  that  would  keep  the  water  out  of  it 
(Child  with  basket  pretends  to  line  the  tn- 
side  )     When  she  had  it  all  ready,  Miriam 
came  with  little  brother.     {Child  represent- 
ing  Miriam  comes  with  doll.)     Mother  laid 


THE  STORY  OF  MOSES      lai 


him  in  the  basket  {Mother  does  this.)  and 
hid  it  among  the  bulrushes  on  the  river  bank. 
{/let  out.)  They  knew  that  the  beautiful 
Princess  often  came  down  to  the  river  for  a 
bath,  and  hoped  that  when  she  saw  the  baby 
and  how  beautiful  he  was  she  would  not  let 
the  King's  soldiers  kill  him.  "Miriam,"  said 
the  mother,  "stay  close  by  and  see  what  hap- 
pens to  him.  I  will  come  back  presently. 
The  Princess  must  not  see  me  here,  for  she 
might  know  that  I  am  his  mother."  {Miriam 
sits  down  and  the  mother  goes  out.) 

Miriam  sat  for  a  long  time  and  watched 
the  basket  bobbing  up  and  down  among  the 
bulrushes.  At  last  she  heard  some  people 
near  by  {Miriam  listens.)  and  looking  up 
saw  that  the  Princess  and  her  maids  were 
really  coming,  just  as  her  mother  had  hoped 
they  would.  {Enter  Princess  with  several 
maids,  one  holding  a  parasol  over  her,  one 
holding  the  train  of  her  dress,  a  third  carry- 
ing a  Turkish  towel.)  How  anxious  Miriam 
was  as  they  came  near  to  the  place  where  the 
baby  was  hidden.  She  was  very  much  fright- 
ened lest  the  Princess  should  be  angry.  What 
if  the  Princess  should  tell  one  of  the  maids 


i 


I! 


I 

i 


) 


122      THE  STORY  OF  MOSES 

to  take  him  out  of  the  little  boat  and  throw 
him  into  the  river.  Perhaps  she  would  re- 
port  the  discovery  to  the  King,  who  would 
not  only  have  the  baby  killed,  but  send  the 
soldiers  to  take  her  mother  to  prison  for  not 
obeying  his  command.  They  would  be  sure 
somehow  to  find  out  who  was  the  baby  s 

mother. 

While  Miriam  was  thinking  of  these  thmgs 
the  Princess  came  up  close  to  the  bank  and 
saw  the  basket  among  the  bushes.      {The 
Princess  looks  at  it  and  motions  for  one  of 
the  maids  to  bring  it  to  her.)     One  of  the 
maids  having  brought  it  to  her  {Acted  out.), 
they  opened  it  and  there  was  the  beautiful 
baby,  who  began  to  cry  to  be  taken  up.    The 
Princess  loved  him  at  once  and  hfted  hirn 
out  of  the  basket.     {Acted  out.)     She  said, 
"This  is  one  of  the  Hebrews'  children." 

Miriam  saw  that  she  loved  the  baby,  and 
just  as  she  was  wondering  what  to  do  a  bright 
idea  came  to  her.  Running  up  to  the  Princess 
and  looking  at  the  baby  {Acted  out.),  she 
said,  "Shall  I  go  and  find  some  womain  of 
the  Hebrews  to  be  a  nurse  to  the  child  for 
you  and  take  care  of  it?"     "Yes,"  said  the 


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THE  STORY  OF  MOSES      H3 

Princess  (Motion!  for  Miriam  to  go.),  "go 
IZZ  a  nurse  for  me."  (Miriam  ,o«  o« 
Ime  the  Princess  walks  up  and  do.m.  smnj 

7ng  the  baby  to  and  fro  i«  * ''"  ,'bLv' 
sired,  a  lullaby  might  be  sung  he"- ffy' 
Boah  a  SiU,er  Moon,"  or  some  other  of  the 
„1  good  ones.)  Miriam  ran  Q-'ckly  and 
Trought  the  baby's  own  -o'her  to  the  Pr m- 
cess     (Enter  Miriam  and  mother.)      nere 

^"  4^^''"'-d  rtSer -rfs*: 

S^r;ha;tttri|Hmbe.Ue. 
Take  him  to  your  home  and  "urse  h,m  fo 
„e,  and  I  will  pay  you  wages.        P^ces^ 

?Mtes  '  aU^wTen  h;\s  o^enough  !  will 
n't'  Wm  come  to  live  with  me  in  'he  Palace 
as  if  he  were  my  own  son."    Then  the  Prm 
cess  said  good-bye  to  the  baby  and  h.s  new 
nurse  who  was  really  his  mother,  and  went 

Tack  to  *e  ?>!"'•  ''"''  ^"T^"  "  ^ 
„ood  deed  she  had  done.  (Pr'nce"  and 
^::rds  pass  ou,  in  one  direction  mother  unth 

iaby  and  Miriam  in  another.) 

Oh  how  thankful  was  the  mother  that  her 
baV»  We  had  been  sparedl  And  how  happy 


ml   ; 


124     THE  STORY  OF  MOSEb 

and  proud  was  Miriam  to  think  that  she  had 
helped  to  bring  little  brother  into  their  own 
home  again,  where  he  could  cry  or  laugh  just 
as  loud  as  he  wished,  and  no  one  could  do 
him  harm  1 


IH 

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^M  ^'  ' 

1'  ^■'■' 

1  i   . 

^H 

;  i  ■  ■■,    ■ 
i. 

THE   STORY   OF  LITTLE  SAMUEL 


I  Samuel  1-3 
Characters: 

Eli. 

Hannah. 

Elkanah. 

Samuel. 
Materials  : 

Long  robe   {to  make  child  who  takes 
part  of  Hannah  look  older). 

Coat  for  Samuel. 

Glass  of  water. 

Couch  or  cushions  and  mat  {for  Samuel 

and  Eli). 


THE  STORY  OF   LITTLE 
SAMUEL 

I  am  going  to  tell  you  a  story  about  four 
people — one  for  each  finger  on  your  left 
hand.  Hold  it  up  and  let  us  count.  {Have 
each  child  count  left  hand  fingers  as  you 
name  characters.)  First,  a  minister  whose 
name  was  Eli;  then  a  little  boy  whose  name 
was  Samuel;  his  mother,  Hannah;  and  his 
father,  Elkanah. 

One  day  Eli,  the  minister,  was  in  his 
church  {Enter  child  representing  Eli,  turban 
on  head  made  from  handkerchief  and  kimono 
belted  in  to  represent  robe  of  priest,  if  it  is 
desired.)  when  he  heard  some  voices  at  the 
door.  Looking  up  {Acted  out.),  he  saw  a 
man  and  woman  who  had  come  there  to 
worship.  Their  names  were  Hannah  and 
Elkanah.  As  he  watched  them  the  woman 
knelt  and  he  saw  her  lips  move.  {Acted  out.) 
He  thought  she  acted  strangely,  so  presently 
he  walked  up  to  her  {Acted  out.)  and  said, 

137 


-<  I 


128    THE  STORY  OF  SAMUEL 

•'Do  not  drink  any  more  wine,  for  it  makes 
you  drunk."  Hannah  told  him  that  she  was 
not  drunk — that  she  was  only  talking  to  God 
and  asking  Him  for  a  little  son,  for  she  was 
very  lonely.  "I  have  promised  the  Lord," 
she  said  to  Eli,  "that  if  He  will  give  me  a 
son,  he  shall  be  given  to  do  the  Lord's  work 
so  long  as  he  lives."  Eli  said,  "Go  in  peace 
and  may  the  Lord  give  you  a  little  son  as 
you  have  asked."  {Exeunt  Hannah  and  El- 
kanah.) 

After  some  time  Hannah  and  Elkanah 
came  again  to  the  church.  This  time  they 
had  with  them  a  dear  little  boy  whose  name 
was  Samuel.  {Enter  Hannah  and  Elkanah 
with  little  Samuel.)  It  was  the  little  boy  for 
whom  Hannah  had  prayed  and  they  had 
named  him  Samuel,  for  the  name  means 
"asked  of  God."  Hannah  was  sad  no  more. 
She  was  very  happy  and  so  was  Samuel's 
father. 

Hannah  came  to  Eli  and  gave  him  little 
Samuel's  hand.  {Acted  out.)  She  said, 
"The  Lord  heard  my  prayer  and  sent  me  this 
little  son.  Is  he  not  a  dear  boy?  Now  he 
shall  be  given  to  the  Lord  to  do  His  work 


THE  STORY  OF  SAMUEL     129 

as  long  as  he  lives.  So  let  him  stay  here 
with  you  and  grow  up  in  God's  house." 

He  was  a  very  little  boy  to  begin  doing 
church  work,  wasn't  he? 

He  was  very  brave  when  his  father  and 
mother  kissed  him  good-bye  {Acted  out.) 
and  went  back  home  alone.  {Exeunt  par- 
ents.) He  stayed  on  with  Eli  and  obeyed 
him  just  as  if  he  were  Eli's  own  son.  He 
helped  Eli,  too  1  While  he  was  such  a  little 
boy  he  did  just  little  things.  But  as  he  grew 
older  he  did  many  things  to  help — he  lit  the 
lamps  and  opened  the  doors  {Pretend.)  and 
waited  on  Eli  {Brings  a  drink  of  water  to 
Eli.)t  who  was  getting  old  and  was  nearly 
blind.  {Takes  Eli  by  hand  and  leads  him 
across  to  seat,  Eli  keeping  eyes  closed.) 

Eli  was  his  teacher,  too,  and  Samuel 
learned  all  of  his  lessons  well. 

Every  year  Samuel's  mother  brought  him 
a  new  coat  which  she  had  made.  {Enter 
Hannah  with  coat  on  her  arm,  kneels  before 
Samuel  and  shows  him  the  coat.)  "What  a 
fine  boy  you  are  growing  to  be!"  she  would 
always  say.  "Mother  is  very  proud  of  you." 
{Exit  Hannah.) 


1   , 


130    THE  STORY  OF  SAMUEL 

One  night  Samuel  had  lain  down  to  sleep 
{Acted  out.)  when  he  heard  someone  calling 
to  him.  He  thought  Eli  had  called  him.  He 
ran  to  Eli  {Acted  out.)  and  answered,  "Here 
am  I,  for  you  caUed  me."  But  Eli  had  not 
called  him.  He  said  to  Samuel,  "I  did  not 
call  you,  lie  down  again."  So  Samuel  went 
and  lay  down.     {Act  out.) 

Soon  Samuel  heard  the  voice  a  second 
time.  It  said,  "Samuel !  Samuel  1"  He  ran 
to  Eli  a  second  time  {Acted  out.)  and  said, 
"Here  am  I,  for  you  called  me."  But  Eli 
had  not  called  him.  He  said  to  Samuel,  "I 
did  not  call  you,  lie  down  again."  And  Sam- 
uel went  and  lay  down.     {Acted  out.) 

A  third  time  Samuel  heard  someone  call- 
ing. He  thought  all  this  very  strange,  but 
he  ran  to  Eli.  {Acted  out.)  "Here  am  I, 
for  you  surely  called  me,"  he  said.  Eli  now 
knew  that  the  Lord  had  spoken  to  Samuel. 
He  himself  had  not  done  so  and  there  was 
no  one  else  in  the  house  with  them.  But  he 
knew,  as  do  we,  that  God  is  always  present, 
so  he  said,  "Samuel,  go  lie  down  once  more, 
and  if  you  again  hear  the  voice  say,  'Speak, 
Lord,  for  thy  servant  hears.' "    So  Samuel 


THE  STORY  OF  SAMUEL     131 

lay  down  once  more  and  waited  for  the  voice. 
{Acted  out.)  Soon  God  called  as  before, 
"Samuel  I  Samuel  1"  This  time  Samuel 
knew  that  God  was  speaking  and  answered, 
"Speak,  Lord,  for  thy  servant  hears."  And 
God  talked  with  him.  He  told  Samuel  how 
wicked  were  the  sons  of  Eli.  He  said  he 
must  punish  them  for  their  wickedness.  It 
would  be  a  very  severe  punishment,  he  said, 
for  not  only  had  they  sinned,  but  had  made 
many  others  to  sin  also. 

In  the  morning  when  Samuel  arose  he 
went  about  his  work  as  usual  {Acted  out.), 
but  he  stayed  far  away  from  Eli,  for  he 
dreaded  to  tell  Eli  of  the  message.  But  bye 
and  bye  Eli  called  to  him  {Goes  to  Eli.)  and 
said,  "Samuel,  my  boy,  tell  me  what  the  Lord 
said  to  you  last  night."  So  Samuel  told  Eli 
all  that  the  Lord  had  said,  though  it  was  a 
sad  message  indeed.  Eli  shook  his  head  sor- 
rowfully, but  laid  his  hand  on  the  boy's 
shoulder  {Acted  out.)  and  said,  "It  is  the 
Lord.  Let  Him  do  what  seems  good  to 
Him."     {Exit  Samuel,  leading  Eli  out.) 

Samuel  listened  for  God's  voice  after  this 
and  God  told  Samuel  many  things,  and  in 


I 

i  ! 

;  i 


:{ 


132    THE  STORY  OF  SAMUEL 

different  ways.  Samuel  obeyed  God  and 
served  Him,  and  when  he  was  grown  to  be 
a  man  he  was  called  one  of  God's  prophets 
and  taught  the  people  about  God  and  how 
to  serve  Him.  There  is  a  still,  small  voice 
within  which  tells  us  what  is  right  and  what 
is  wrong.  Let  us  always  listen  to  and  obey 
it,  for  it  is  God's  voice  speaking  to  us. 

{Enter  all  children  and  sing.) 


i'f 


11 


V  11 


"Within  the  temple  veil, 
The  light  was  burning  dim; 
The  sacrifice  was  ended, 
Hushed  was  the  evening  hymn. 
Little  Samuel,  sleeping. 
Was  wakened  by  a  cry; 
He  heard  a  voice,  and  answered, 
'Lord,  Lord,  here  am  L' 


"As  little  Samuel  listened. 
The  voice  he  did  obey; 
He  learned  God's  will  and  served  Him, 
In  meekness,  every  day. 


I:! 


THE  STGi<Y  OF  SAMUEL     133 

Then  listen,  little  children, 
And  try  God's  voice  to  hear; 
As  in  our  hearts  He's  speaking 
His  message  sweet  and  clear." 


